Israel High Court clears obstacle to Lebanon deal

Israel's Supreme Court on Sunday threw out four legal challenges to a landmark maritime agreement between Israel and Lebanon, clearing a major hurdle for the deal that could mark a major breakthrough in relations between the two countries.

The court did not immediately release its reasons for rejecting the challenges.The court's ruling paves the way for the agreement to be given final approval by the government, a step expected later this week.Lebanon and Israel both claim some 860 square kilometers of the Mediterranean Sea.