Lebanon approves historic maritime border deal with Israel

Lebanon has formally approved a landmark U.S.-brokered agreement laying out the country’s maritime boundary with Israel, the country’s top negotiator told reporters on Thursday.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Thursday signed a letter approving the historic agreement with Israel.

Israel was set to follow suit in approving the deal, which marks a diplomatic departure from decades of hostility, later in the day.

The agreement opens the way for offshore energy exploration and removes one source of potential conflict between Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese…