QatarEnergy signed an agreement with TotalEnergies SE and Eni SpA to search for natural gas in Lebanese waters, including in a previously-contested area with Israel. Under the exploration and production agreement, the state-run Qatari company will hold 30% in offshore blocks 9 and 4 and the French and Italian energy giants will now hold 35% each, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said in a statement. The US brokered last year a historic accord that ended a dispute between long-time foes Lebanon and Israel over a potentially gas-rich area in the Mediterranean waters. Both countries had laid claim to an area ... (full story)