Bou Saab: September "decisive" for border demarcation negotiations

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
6 Sep 2022 17:35
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The Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament says that the US mediator's visit to Beirut does not necessarily carry a final solution to the file of border demarcation.

The Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament says "The month of September will be decisive."

The Lebanese presidency quoted Tuesday President Michel Aoun as saying that the French oil and gas company TotalEnergies could be a third party to help Lebanon solve maritime demarcation issues with the Israeli occupation.

The Presidency tweeted that Aoun is scheduled to make "contacts to help in this regard."

On Sunday, the Lebanese presidency was informed by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Elias Bou Saab, that the US mediator, Amos Hochstein, will arrive in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, this weekend.

In the same context, Bou Saab held talks Tuesday in Baabda with Aoun.

According to Bou Saab, maritime demarcation negotiations with the Israeli occupation are "going in the right direction," affirming that "Communication and contacts will intensify in September and we hope we will be able to reach a result."

The Lebanese diplomat indicated that "We don’t want to let go of optimism, but we don’t want to say that we’re pessimistic," noting that Hochstein "has told me that there are conflicting reports in the Israeli media."

Bou Saab pointed out that "There are major complications but are being resolved one after another," stressing that "The month of September will be decisive."

The Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament also warned that "If it turns out that the Israelis are intransigent and do not want a solution, Lebanon will have other choices."

Bou Saab considered that Hochstein's coming visit does not necessarily carry the final solution to the file of demarcation of the border but is a positive step.

In late August, the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri said that “every cubic meter of gas and oil and the maritime borders with occupied Palestine are usurped by the Israeli occupation,” stressing that “Lebanon will defend its gas and oil with all its capabilities, and will not wait indefinitely."

The Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, had stressed that the Israeli threats are to no avail, adding that Hezbollah's decision and approach are clear and "we are waiting for the coming days to act accordingly."

US President Joe Biden had stressed to the Israeli occupation Prime Minister, Yair Lapid, the importance of completing negotiations to demarcate the maritime borders with Lebanon in the coming weeks.

Axios quoted a White House official as saying that resolving the maritime issue between "Israel" and Lebanon is a major priority for the administration of US President Joe Biden.