Lebanese Foreign Minister Ali Shami stressed Tuesday the country's right to exploit its oil resources in its offshore economic zone in a letter addressed to the UN secretary-general, Xinhua reported.
In the letter, Shami urged UN chief Ban Ki-moon to "exert every possible effort to prevent Israel from exploiting Lebanon's oil and maritime resources in its offshore exclusive economic zone."
Shami stressed Lebanon's rights that are endorsed by international rules and conventions, saying "any exploitation by Israel of these resources constitutes a severe violation to these international rules and conventions and to Lebanese sovereignty."