Lebanon receives response from US mediator over maritime borders

• 

Al Mayadeen correspondent reported Saturday that Lebanon received the written response from the US mediator, Amos Hochstein, regarding the indirect negotiations with the Israeli occupation over the demarcation of maritime borders.

This was preceded by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Elias Bou Saab, announcing that Lebanese President Michel Aoun is expected to receive the written response within 24 hours, adding that "the proposal will be studied, and if it meets the conditions, it will be positive and will be capitalized on."

The Lebanese Presidency quoted Bou Saab as saying that the written offer that will be sent by Hochstein is likely to reach Baabda soon.

On Monday, the Lebanese President spoke about breakthroughs on the issue of demarcation of the Lebanese southern maritime borders, assuring that Lebanon will receive the wealth it deserves and that this file is reaching its "Happy endings".

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati had previously stressed that Lebanon adheres to its sovereignty, wealth, and rights in its territorial waters, saying the country is nearing an agreement with the Israeli occupation on the demarcation of maritime borders.

A few days ago, Israeli media said Washington made a new offer to "Israel" and Lebanon on the demarcation of the maritime border, noting that "the settlement proposal is centered around line 23."

Israeli media pointed out that after the new US offer, the political and security circles in "Israel" seemed optimistic about the chances of reaching a final settlement of the maritime border file in the near future.

Calls to protest Lapid’s decision to sign deal with Lebanon: Reports

Israeli media outlets had reported that a group of Israeli settlers concerned about the agreement with Lebanon on maritime border demarcation will hold a protest near Israeli occupation Prime Minister Yair Lapid's house in "Ramat Aviv".

The protests come as Lebanese media reported that Lebanon and the Israeli occupation are close to reaching an agreement on the demarcation of the maritime borders, as per Israeli media.

The Israeli media added that "protesters will take other measures, including filing a petition or complaint by attorney Zahava Gur, and it is also expected that Dr. Udi Cohen will submit an opinion to be included in the petition." 

The protesters believe that Lapid has no mandate to sign an agreement with Lebanon without a referendum or without a vote on the deal with Lebanon in the Knesset as required by Law, according to Israeli media.

Reports noted that Lapid might bypass Knesset by holding a secret vote on a border deal with Lebanon.

"Israel" made concessions in favor of Lebanon

Israeli Maariv newspaper had quoted Amos Yadlin, former IOF Military Intelligence Directorate, as saying that "Israel has made concessions in favor of Lebanon to demarcate the border to ward off the danger of escalation."

"Israel is showing leniency in the demarcation of the maritime borders," Yadlin considered.

Similarly, Israeli media reported that "Israel has stooped to the lowest level as it negotiates with Lebanon on the maritime borders under threat," adding that the Secretary-General of Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah "has put a gun to [Israel’s] head."

In the same context, the Israeli Channel 13 quoted Danny Danon, the former ambassador of the Israeli occupation to the United Nations, as saying that "Israel is on the verge of signing a heinous agreement without any debate in the Knesset or the government."

Danon added that "Nasrallah proved that he can force Israel to back down," stressing that "a new government must manage this agreement."

It is noteworthy that Sayyed Nasrallah had warned that "if Lebanon does not obtain the rights demanded by the Lebanese state, we are heading toward an escalation whether or not the nuclear agreement is signed."

On August 9, the Lebanese leader warned that any attempt to plunder any of Lebanon's wealth will be thwarted, indicating that the resistance party is waiting for the Israeli enemy's response to Lebanon's demands regarding border demarcation.

Israeli media has lately said that "Israel listens to Nasrallah's threats and put off extracting gas under technical pretexts."

It is noteworthy that former Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had slammed Lapid, saying that the latter retreated following Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's threats.