Lebanon's PM Draws a Clear Line: No Normalization with Israel, Despite Maritime Deal

Let's be absolutely clear: despite the recent buzz around a landmark maritime border agreement, Lebanon is still miles — no, very, very far — from even contemplating diplomatic or economic normalization with Israel. That's the unequivocal message coming straight from Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who recently spoke his mind in a candid interview with CNN.

Indeed, the ink might still be drying on that U.S.-mediated deal, which carved out a path for both nations to tap into offshore gas reserves in the Mediterranean. It was hailed, somewhat cautiously, as a breakthrough, offering a sliver of hope for future energy security. But for Mikati, this agreement, vital as it is for his crisis-stricken nation, doesn't even remotely signal a thaw in what has been, for decades, a frozen and hostile relationship.

Speaking frankly, Mikati described the deal not as a step towards peace, but purely a 'technical agreement.' You see, Lebanon is in dire straits economically, grappling with one of the worst financial meltdowns in modern history. For Mikati and his government, the agreement was about survival, about unlocking potential energy resources that could, just could, offer a much-needed lifeline to a population truly suffering. It was a pragmatic move born out of desperate necessity, nothing more.

It's crucial to remember that Lebanon and Israel remain officially in a state of war. This isn't just a formality; it deeply shapes every political consideration and public sentiment. Even Hezbollah, a powerful political and militant force within Lebanon, echoed the sentiment, viewing the deal strictly through a technical lens. They presented it as a national victory for securing Lebanon's resources, not a compromise on the broader, enduring conflict.

Mikati’s message was unambiguous: Lebanon’s current focus isn’t on grand regional political shifts or reimagining long-held geopolitical stances. It's squarely on its own people, its crumbling economy, and its internal stability. The quest for gas, for potential revenue, was a singular, pragmatic effort aimed at alleviating the immediate pain, not a sudden change of heart regarding its neighbor.

So, while the maritime agreement might represent a sliver of practical, indirect cooperation, let there be no mistake. As Mikati himself underscored, the path to any form of full normalization or even burgeoning economic ties with Israel is, for Lebanon, a journey that hasn't even begun. It remains, in his words, 'very, very far' off, a sentiment deeply rooted in historical conflict and present-day political realities.