French Total company to start drilling works after finalizing demarcation: Minister

BEIRUT

French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna on Friday said the French TotalEnergies company will start the drilling and exploration activities in the Lebanese field after the finalization of the maritime border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel.

The French top diplomat made the statement during her talks with Lebanese President Michel Aoun in Beirut, according to a statement by the Lebanese Presidency.

The statement said that Colonna conveyed the greetings of French President Emmanuel Macron to Lebanon on approving the maritime deal.

She hoped that the Lebanese would overcome the country's difficult conditions and to elect a new president for Lebanon.

Earlier on Friday, the French minister arrived in Beirut and immediately held talks with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

On Tuesday, Beirut and Tel Aviv agreed on the final version of the deal provided by US mediator Amos Hochstein.

In another topic, President Aoun requested France to help in the issue of returning Syrian refugees to Syria.

Since late 2019, Lebanon has been grappling with a severe economic crisis that saw the value of its currency plummet, along with fuel and medicine shortages.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar