US mediator after Lebanon visit: Good progress in negotiations

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Sep 2022 17:32
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Before his departure from Lebanon, the US mediator says he's hopeful, but more work is needed regarding the indirect maritime border negotiations with the Israeli occupation.

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri during his meeting with the US mediator Amos Hochstein

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri affirmed Friday Lebanon's adherence to the framework agreement and its determination to invest its wealth throughout its economic region.

During a meeting with Amos Hochstein, the US mediator in the file of demarcating the maritime borders with the Israeli occupation, Berri stressed the necessity of returning to Naqoura for indirect negotiations until the desired results are reached.

Earlier on Friday, Hochstein arrived in Lebanon for a new round of talks with senior officials.

"I think we're making very good progress," Hochstein claimed after meeting Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab, and General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim.

Before his departure from Beirut's airport, the US mediator indicated that "I'm very hopeful, but more work needs to be done."

In late July, Hochstein was in Lebanon for meetings with Lebanese officials, pointing out after his visit that he looked "forward to being able to come back to the region to make the final arrangement."

A senior Israeli official told Reuters at the time that the Israeli occupation government would present a new proposal that "includes a solution that would allow the Lebanese to develop the gas reserves in the disputed area while preserving Israel's commercial rights."

According to Reuters, a Lebanese official indicated that the Israeli occupation proposal "would allow Lebanon to explore the entire Qana Prospect, an area with the potential to hold hydrocarbons and which crosses beyond Line 23."

"Line 23 is the maritime line that Lebanon first set as its border during negotiations," the news agency said.

Aoun: TotalEnergies could be a third party

On Tuesday, the Lebanese presidency quoted Lebanese 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."

Last week, Bou Saab held talks in Baabda with Aoun.

Bou Saab: Negotiations are "going in the right direction"

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 visit does not necessarily carry the final solution to the file of demarcation of the border but is a positive step.

Sayyed Nasrallah: Waiting for coming days to act accordingly

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."

Negotiations are a major priority for Biden administration

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.