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Lebanon And Jordan To Discuss Pipeline Project
by Tareq Ayyoub
AMMAN, Feb 27 (IslamOnline) - Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri is expected to arrive here Tuesday where he will hold talks with Prime Minister Ali Abul Ragheb on economic cooperation between the two countries in addition to preparations for the Arab summit, a Lebanese diplomat said.
Lebanese ambassador in Amman, Adeeb Alam al-Deen said the two officials would also discuss political developments in the region and efforts to resume peace process, especially after the election of Sharon as new Israel's new prime minister.
Alam al-Deen said Hariri and Abul Ragheb could also discuss the multi-million gas pipeline project, which groups in addition to the two countries Syria and Egypt.
Jordan and Lebanon are vying to convince the other parties to adopt their proposals in order to launch the project, which will transfer gas to Turkey and Europe in a later stage.
While Jordanian officials proposed a land-route to the project, starting from the Sinai Peninsula to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, Lebanese officials proposed a maritime route which would start from Egyptian territories and go to the Lebanese northern city of Tripoli, before traveling on to Syrian and Jordanian territories.
Earlier this month, the four countries signed a memorandum of understanding launching the project, expected to cost over $600 million.
If launched, the project could save Jordan and Lebanon many financial resources and reduce their dependence on oil. In addition, the project would reduce pollution caused by the use of oil in the two countries.
"Lebanon has no reservation whatsoever on the establishment of this essential project," Alma al-Deen said.
"But the idea of this project started with having a maritime route and not transferring the gas through land," the ambassador said.
Alma al-Deen further stated that a technical committee, which held a meeting in Beirut a few weeks back, is expected to come up with suggestions on how the project should be implemented.
"We will abide by the recommendations of this committee and we hope that the project will see light soon," the ambassador added.
Alma al-Deen indicated that during Hariri's visit, the two countries are expected to singe agreements on cultural and agriculture cooperation as well.
He indicated that Lebanon is willing to sign a Free Trade Agreement with Jordan, adding that talks on this issue are in their final stages.
The diplomat said that Lebanon has undertaken several measures to attract foreign investment, which include exemptions of custom duties on tens of goods and amending the Investment Promotion Law.
"The ball now is not in our court and we hope other will make use of the opportunities Lebanon is presenting," he said.
Alam al-Deen said that his country hopes that the upcoming Arab summit will extend political and financial support to his country against what he described as "new Israeli policies."
Among the measures his country is willing to ensure is to assist in the removal 130,000 land mines in Lebanon "which not only endanger human lives but also economic development in the southern region."
Commenting on the visit of U.S. Secretary of States Colin Powell to the region, which concluded Monday, Alam al-Deen said that the Americans committed a mistake by not including Lebanon on the trip agenda.
"Lebanon wish[ed] if he [Powell] visited Lebanon to enable him to listen to the Lebanese views closely. They committed a mistake [on] this issue," the ambassador said.
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