Lebanon set to expand claim on disputed maritime area with Israel

The move will add about 1,400sq km to the exclusive economic zone claimed by Beirut.

Lebanon’s caretaker public works and transport minister says he signed a document expanding Lebanon’s claims in its maritime border dispute with Israel. The amendment, announced on Monday, adds about 1,400sq km (540 square miles) to the exclusive economic zone claimed by Lebanon in its original submission to the United Nations. The document now needs to be signed off by Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, minister of defence, and president ahead of submission to the United Nations for a formal claim to register the new coordinates for the area.