BEIRUT - The U.S. envoy who negotiated a maritime border agreement between longtime foes Israel and Lebanon said he hoped a consortium of companies could begin work in Lebanese waters "within weeks."

Amos Hochstein said he hoped TotalEnergies SE and ENI SpA could begin gas exploration in Lebanese maritime blocs within that time frame.

The original consortium that won rights to explore there also included Russia's Novatek, but it pulled out last month.

(Reporting by Maya Gebeily; editing by Jonathan Oatis)