(MENAFN) Lebanon has inked its first deals for offshore oil and gas search along with production for a couple of blocks.

One of the blocks is one disputed by Israel; however, Lebanon was confirmed by its energy minister that it won't let such matters intervene with its interests.

However, consortium operator Total declared that it would avoid drilling the first well of the block in close proximity to the disputed area.

The agreements were revealed to have been signed by a consortium of France's Total, Russia's Novatek and Italy's Eni.

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