BEIRUT (AP) — The U. S. envoy who mediates between Lebanon and Israel on the two countries’ disputed maritime border said Friday that even more progress has been made on the issue.
Amos Hochstein, Senior Advisor on Energy Security at the U. S. Department of StateThe U. S. military mediated between the two countries and traveled between Beirut and Jerusalem as tensions continue near the tense border after the Iranian-Israeli-backed Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah recently exchanged threats.
He spoke on Friday, following a brief trip to Beirut, where he met with senior officials, adding President Michel Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
“I think we’re making very smart progress. I am hopeful that we can succeed in a deal,” he said after the meeting with Aoun.
Later, Hochstein said at the airport before leaving that “I’m very hopeful for what we discussed today, but there are still pictures to be done. “
Mikati’s workplace said in a statement that the two men had discussed the concepts Hochstein had brought with him, adding that Lebanese officials would examine them and “give an answer soon. “
A Lebanese official who attended the talks told The Associated Press that the proposal submitted through the U. S. envoy was not the only Lebanese envoy. The U. S. military grants Lebanon the right to the Qana camp, which is partly part of Israel’s main domain. Some of it extends deep into the disputed area. The official added that the main point now is how to draw the demarcation line so that it extends south of Qana.
In 2017, Lebanon approved licenses for a foreign consortium through France’s Total, Italy’s ENI and Russia’s Novatek to move forward with offshore oil and fuel progression for two of the 10 blocks in the Mediterranean Sea, adding one that is in dispute in part with neighboring Israel.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with the regulations, said France’s Total had said that as soon as an agreement was reached, exploration in the border area would begin.
Last month, Novatek announced it would leave the consortium. Lebanese media reported that a Qatari company would replace the Russian firm.
This is Hochstein’s first stopover in Lebanon since last July. The previous stopover came after Israel installed a fuel platform at its designated location in karish’s box. Israel claims the box is part of its UN-recognized exclusive economic zone, while Lebanon insists Karish is in a disputed area.
In July, the Israeli army shot down 3 unarmed Hezbollah drones flying over the Karish camp. Last month, the Hezbollah leader issued a warning to Israel about the maritime dispute, saying that “any weapon” that manages to borrow Lebanon’s wealth “will be eliminated. “off. “
The heavily armed Hezbollah, which has waged several wars against Israel, has continuously said in the afterlife that it would use its weapons for Lebanon’s economic rights. Still, Hezbollah officials said they would approve a deal between the Lebanese government and Israel.
Indirect talks between Lebanon and Israel, under U. S. mediation, have stalled since last year due to disagreements within Lebanon over the extent of the disputed area.
The two countries, which have been officially at war since Israel’s creation in 1948, claim some 860 kilometers (330 miles) of the Mediterranean Sea. Lebanon hopes to unleash offshore oil and fuel production as it grapples with the worst economic crisis in its sleek history.
Last year, the Lebanese delegation to the talks, a combination of generals and army professionals, proposed a new map that pushes another 1,430 kilometers (550 miles) as Lebanese territory.
Hochstein had said a solution to the border crisis would help Lebanon emerge from its economic collapse that began in October 2019, leaving more than 75 percent of its population in poverty.