BEIRUT: Lebanon and Israel met with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Thursday to discuss the disputed maritime zone between the two countries.

Sources told The Daily Star that the possibility of renewing dialogue between Lebanon and Israel, under the sponsorship of UNIFIL, regarding the demarcation of maritime borders was also discussed at the meeting.

Israel and Lebanon both lay claim to a disputed area that spans some 850 square kilometers off the coast between the two countries, said to be rich in gas and oil resources.

The disputed area is the latest source of tension between the two countries. Lebanon has warned Israel not to take any unilateral decision regarding the disputed area, and has asked the United Nations to intervene in an attempt to resolve the issue.

The security situation and violations of the Blue Line were also discussed at the meeting. The National News Agency reported that the attendees discussed Israeli withdrawal from the northern part of the village of Ghajar.

The meeting, which took place in Ras Naqoura, south Lebanon, began at 8:30 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m.