Lebanon proposes new maritime border

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The Lebanese Parliament has passed a draft law demarcating maritime borders with Israel, officials said Thursday.

Last month, Israel proposed maritime borders Lebanese officials said infringed on its economic zone; part of the disputed area is believed to hold significant oil and gas reserves, The (Beirut) Daily Star reported.

Lebanon was expected to send its version of the law to the United Nations for review. The 18-article law was drafted in Parliament's Public Works, Transport, Energy and Water Committee, headed by Mohammad Qabbani, a Member of Parliament.

The Parliament was also considering a draft law for Palestinian camps that would reduce the number of entry points, a law that would prohibit smoking in public places, and how to increase Lebanon's electricity production by about 700 megawatts.