Tanzania says it expects that the on-going oil and gas exploration which is being carried out by Malawi on the disputed portion of the lake will be stopped immediately.

The development comes three days after the Malawi government issued a public statement on its position with regard to misunderstandings with neighbouring Tanzania on the issue of shared borders.

On Friday last week, Malawi Government issued a statement saying according to existing treaties and a number of African Union instruments, Malawi owns the whole of the lake.

However, thecitizen.co.tz reported on Monday that Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Bernard Membe had told Parliament that the two governments, which were still discussing the dispute, had agreed to suspend all prospecting activities.

Membe said his government had "reliable information" from Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) that Malawi has leased out, to some oil and gas prospecting companies, blocs on the lake that the government of Tanzania claims fall in its territory.

"The government orders such firms to stop their activities from today (Monday) and we hope our counterparts in Malawi understand our position in this matter.

"We want to assure Tanzanians that our country will remain safe from any open or perceived threats," Membe is quoted as saying in Tanzanian Parliament.

Membe said his Tanzanian government expects that Malawi would "respect agreements and remove all aircraft that are landing on the lake".

He also observed that the matter could be resolved by an arbitrator.

Malawi's Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu yesterday said the government's statement stands.

He, however, said dialogue was still continuing and as good neighbours with Tanzania, they hope to find an amicable way forward.

The Malawi Government states it is the sole authority of territorial control of 100 percent of the area covering the whole of Lake Malawi according to existing documentation.

"It is therefore very clear that Malawi and Tanzania have a different point of view on where the border should be. Government wishes to assure the nation that this should not be a cause for anxiety or alarm.... The fact that our two countries are engaged in open and cordial discussions over the issue is a very good signal and therefore there should be no reason for any anxiety," Chiume said on Friday.

He declined to comment on the matter yesterday.