BEIRUT: Energy Minister Jebran Bassil said Friday Lebanon was moving quickly on the Lebanese-Israeli maritime border issue.

“The government is moving quickly on the maritime border issue,” Bassil told reporters following a meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

He acknowledged that Lebanon had only completed a portion of the work, citing “negligence” at the time.

“Thanks to Prime Minister [Najib] Mikati, the Cabinet and all Lebanese lawmakers in this nation who cooperated to affirm Lebanon's rights,” Bassil said from the Grand Serail.

“Any slackening of efforts will be used by Israel to harm [Lebanon],”Bassil believed.

“Lebanon today works according to international law to assert its rights,” he added.

In response to a question, Bassil said Lebanon “is doing an excellent job for the first time.”

He said Mikati was “moving quickly and seriously and has shown a true intention in addressing problems, not just standing by and watching."