Lebanon’s leaders were yesterday holding a meeting to discuss a US proposal to demarcate the maritime border with Israel — a step that could enable both countries to explore offshore resources.
Lebanon said that it had on Saturday received a written “offer” from US Senior Advisor for Energy Security Amos Hochstein, who is mediating talks between the two enemy states, containing a proposal to demarcate the maritime border with Israel.
The offer was not make public, but it raised hopes that a deal would soon emerge after years of negotiations, as cash-strapped Lebanon eyes potential gas resources in the maritime border area.
The US ambassador to Lebanon handed the offer to Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who represent Lebanon’s three major sects.
Lebanon and Israel are at war and their land border is patrolled by the UN.
Aoun was scheduled meet Berri and Mikati at 3pm to discuss Lebanon’s “official response to the offer,” the National News Agency reported.
A technical team that includes army representatives was to meet at 1pm at the presidential palace. Al-Akhbar, a newspaper close to Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah movement, said yesterday that the meeting would tackle Lebanon’s position on the proposal, and that Beirut would send an official response to the US within 48 hours.
The most recent proposal was greeted by Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, which considers Israel its archenemy.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah had repeatedly threatened Israel with attacks if it proceeds with extraction in disputed areas before a deal is reached, but welcomed Saturday’s developments as “a very important step.”
Israel also praised the US proposal, with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid saying that the bid “strengthens Israel’s security and Israel’s economy.”
The US-mediated negotiations resumed at a faster pace in early June after Israel moved a production vessel near the Karish offshore field, which is partly claimed by Lebanon.
Lebanon and Israel reopened negotiations on their maritime border in 2020, but the process was stalled by Lebanon’s demand that the map used by the UN in the talks be modified.
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