Diplomatic sources reported that U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein will arrive in Beirut next Sunday afternoon and will meet with senior officials on Monday to discuss the Lebanese response to the proposals he presented in February regarding the maritime border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel, as well as the reasons for Lebanon's lack of response to these proposals thus far.
The sources revealed a reassuring message from Israel, conveyed yesterday by the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon to several officials and politicians, confirming that there are no escalatory intentions behind the arrival of the Greek gas extraction ship in the regional waters, emphasizing that it will not approach the disputed line 27 with Lebanon. The Israeli message expressed Israel's desire to reach an agreement with Lebanon regarding demarcation with the assistance of the United States and the United Nations, so that the two countries can begin extracting oil and gas resources in a favorable and calm atmosphere. It also stated that any attempts to threaten to escalate tensions in the region by anyone would face a strong reaction from Israel.
Further information indicated that mediator Hochstein will have dinner at the home of Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab. Official communications and consultations continued regarding the issue of maritime movements by the gas extraction ship "Energian Power" at the request of the Israeli entity, off the disputed maritime boundary area. This issue has been a subject of follow-up between the presidents of the republic and government, and Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib with U.S. Ambassador in Beirut Dorothy Shea, who, according to information, inquired about the official Lebanese position on the matter, which was expressed by Presidents Michel Aoun, Nabih Berri, and Najib Mikati during their meeting in February before the last visit of U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein.
According to the information, the matter of demarcation is not the responsibility of the Foreign Ministry but of the three presidents who hold the decision-making power. The Foreign Ministry is informed of the American position directly from the U.S. Ambassador, who reportedly conveyed that the U.S. administration recognizes negotiating over the Lebanese area between Line 1 and Line 23 and is not concerned with Line 29, and is prepared to resume negotiations in Naqoura based on this principle. Thus, it is not expected that mediator Hochstein will bring any position different from that of his administration during his anticipated visit to Beirut on Sunday evening or Monday.
