Amos Hochstein's First Day in Beirut: Key Meetings

American envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Lebanon on Monday afternoon and began his visit by meeting with the Director General of General Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, in the presence of U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea. The discussions focused on the developments concerning maritime border demarcation. Hochstein then met with Minister of Energy and Water in the caretaker government, Walid Fayyad, at the ministry building. After the meeting, Minister Fayyad stated: "We discussed the import of gas from Egypt and electricity from Jordan, and the American side expressed its full support for this program and the implementation of the agreements. It also expressed its readiness to engage with the World Bank to facilitate the issue of delayed financing." Hochstein is expected to meet with President Michel Aoun and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in the caretaker government, Abdullah Bou Habib, on Tuesday. His visit to Lebanon comes against the backdrop of recent developments in the maritime border demarcation issue and the ensuing tensions, following invitations from Presidents Michel Aoun and Najib Mikati.