UN studying Lebanese letter on Hasbani River dispute

The Government of Lebanon has contacted the United Nations concerning a water dispute with Israel arising from a project on the Hasbani River, a UN spokesman said today.

Spokesman Fred Eckhard confirmed that the Foreign Minister of Lebanon yesterday sent UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan a letter accompanying a government position paper on the Hasbani River project.

"We are currently studying the 60-page paper, but continue to support US-led efforts to mediate the water dispute between Lebanon and Israel," Mr. Eckhard said.