Lebanon, Cyprus Sign Deal Mapping Offshore Gas Zone

Lebanon and Cyprus have signed a maritime demarcation deal, paving the way for energy cooperation between the two countries, including exploration of offshore gas fields in the Mediterranean. The deal was signed at Lebanon's presidential palace on Wednesday, with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides telling reporters it signals deeper cooperation between the two countries and the broader EU. Lebanon and Cyprus had agreed to a preliminary mapping deal in 2007, but did not advance on the matter due to delays in its ratification by the Lebanese…