BEIRUT - Lebanon's Hezbollah pledged on Wednesday to confront any threats to the country's 'oil and gas rights' after Israeli comments urging firms not to bid on a Lebanese offshore energy tender. 'We confirm again our firm and honest position to decisively confront any assault on our oil and gas rights, and protect (Lebanon's) wealth,' the Iran-backed Shi'ite political and military movement said in a statement. Israel described as 'very provocative' a Lebanese offshore oil and gas exploration tender in disputed territory on the countries' maritime border. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said the comments were one of several 'threatening messages' from Israel in recent days.
