Maritime demarcation negotiations very positive: Bou Saab

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen net
3 Oct 15:13

Deputy speaker of the Lebanese parliament, Elias Bou Saab, told Al Mayadeen that the atmosphere regarding the negotiations is very positive and that Lebanon reached all its demands in the written offer.

Deputy of the speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Miniser Elias Bou Saab.

Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese parliament Elias Bou Saab told Al Mayadeen that "the atmosphere is very positive, and Lebanon has not renounced any part of its rights and will not pay compensation to the Israeli enemy," commenting on the maritime border demarcation issue with occupied Palestine.

He added that, "Lebanon gained more than the other side ("Israel"), by their confession, regarding the draft agreement on the demarcation of the maritime borders," noting that, "Lebanon held an advanced position in the negotiations due to its unified position (Political unity), the strength factor known to everyone, and the diplomacy that was backed by these two factors."

The Lebanese official added that Lebanon will propose amendments to the draft received from the American mediator, noting that "the devil lies in the details".

"The Lebanese response to the draft agreement will be sent within 24 or 48 hours," Bou Saab said.

He pointed out that there was, "a fundamental disagreement two weeks ago that would have overthrown the agreement, but this disagreement dissipated during the recent visit to New York (UNGA sidelines), and if this disagreement had continued, Lebanon would have rejected this proposal," adding, "We went over a number of disputed articles, and we took the full time to resolve each of the differences separately."

Lebanon received the written response from the US mediator Amos Hochstein on October 1 regarding the southern maritime borders delivered through the US ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea.

A Lebanese source involved in the negotiations between Lebanon and the occupation entity earlier confirmed to Al Mayadeen that, "Lebanon received in the written proposal from the Americans all its demands," indicating that "Lebanon has not and will not give 'Israel' any security zone that they demanded for earlier".

After receiving the written proposal by the US, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah commented on that matter during a speech on Saturday saying that, "We are before decisive days in the demarcation issue, and the position of the heads of the state will be clarified, as well as where things are headed," the Hezbollah chief underlined. "If the demarcation issue leads to a desired, good result, that will be due to unity, cooperation, and national solidarity."