Lebanese welcome US efforts to complete border demarcation negotiations with Israel

U.S. Senior Advisor for Global Energy Security Amos Hochstein, the head of the delegation conducting indirect negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, held meetings with Lebanese officials to discuss ways to complete maritime border negotiations. His proposals were welcomed by Lebanese officials.

After negotiations between Lebanon and Israel stalled on the issue of demarcating the maritime borders between the two countries, Hochstein returned to Lebanon with the aim of playing the role of mediator in attempts to complete the negotiations.

After his arrival, he held a meeting with the commander of the Lebanese army, Joseph Aoun, and they discussed ways to successfully complete the negotiations. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut expressed its optimism about the meeting, and said on Twitter, “Where there is a will, there is a way.” The tweet further stated that an agreement on the maritime borders could create “a much-needed opportunity to achieve prosperity for the future of Lebanon.”

Hochstein also met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun at the Baabda Palace on Wednesday, where he briefed the president on the results of contacts he made in Israel regarding the demarcation of the border.

President Aoun expressed his country’s readiness to discuss the proposals put forward by Hochstein, and explained that Lebanon will continue to communicate with the American delegation to that end. Aoun also expressed his appreciation for the American role in facilitating the import of gas and electricity from Egypt, Jordan and Syria.

The negotiations between Lebanon and Israel were launched in October of the year 2020, under the auspices of the United Nations and with the mediation of the United States of America.