Lebanon rejects Israeli offer on demarcation of borders
While US mediator Amos Hochstein "remained optimistic" on the two sides making progress toward a deal, no agreement has been reached so far, and Lebanon rejects Israeli occupation's offer.
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An Israeli navy vessel anchored in the Mediterranean Sea is seen from the occupied Ras al-Naqoura border region between occupied Palestine and Lebanon, Sunday, July 3, 2022 (AP)
A Lebanese diplomatic source confirmed on Monday that Lebanon "rejected an Israeli offer to give Beirut part of Block 8 north of Line 23", in exchange for "Israel's relinquishment of the Qana gas field."
Read: 'Israel' gives US proposal on demarcation of Lebanese maritime borders
The source told the Russian news agency, Sputnik, that "The Israeli offer includes 'Israel's' relinquishment of the Qana field in return for Line 23, minus an area that must be ceded located north of the line, specifically the southwestern part of Block 8."
The source explained that "the Israeli offer was rejected by Beirut," adding that "Lebanon stuck to its right in the Qana field and refused to give up any square meter in Block 8."
Yesterday, the US mediator Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut to complete negotiations on demarcating the maritime borders between Lebanon and occupied Palestine, while the talks began today, Monday.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent confirmed today that Hochstein's meeting with the three heads of political power in Lebanon ended and no final result was reported, noting that "no agreement has been reached yet, but only talks about the need for more time."
Lebanese sources told Al Mayadeen's correspondent that the US mediator wants to reach a quick solution before summer ends and that the atmosphere was positive.
Israeli media said that “Tel Aviv” is pressuring the US to reach an agreement with Lebanon before September, the date for when the extraction of oil from [the Karish] rig starts in reference to Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's latest threats.
The US official mediating the indirect maritime border demarcation talks between Lebanon and the Israeli occupation, Amos Hochstein, said Monday he "remained optimistic" on the two sides making progress toward a deal.
Read: Resistance military media warns occupation against provocations
