BEIRUT, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Defense Minister Elias Bou Saab asked Friday for an official letter from Cyprus to guarantee the protection of Lebanon's sovereignty amid plans by Israel to begin a gas pipeline that will link it to Cyprus, Greece and Italy.
Bou Saab's remarks came during his meeting with Cyprus Ambassador to Lebanon Christina Rafti who assured that Cyprus will deal with this issue in favor of Lebanon's interests, said a report by the National News Agency.
"Cyprus has received a letter from Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil warning against the violation of Lebanon's maritime borders," Rafti said.
"I want to assure the positive attitude of Cyprus toward Lebanon in this regard," she added.
Bassil renewed on Thursday his rejection of the violation of Lebanon's rights and sovereignty through the planned gas pipeline project between the Israel, Cyprus and Greece.
Greece, Italy, and Cyprus reached an agreement late last year with Israel to lay a pipeline connecting the Jewish state's gas reserves to the three countries.
The 2,200 km pipeline, which will cost 7 billion U.S. dollars, will have the capacity to carry up to 20 billion cubic meters of gas yearly.
