The U.S. Special Envoy for International Energy Amos Hookstein confirmed in a special interview with the "Al-Hurra" channel with Mona Sleiba that his visit to Beirut is part of a new tour to listen to the Lebanese government. He added, "I was here a few months ago and made some suggestions then about what the negotiations should look like, and I also presented those suggestions to the other side. Today, I came to listen to the officials in the Lebanese government and to hear their views and ideas about possible paths to move forward."
Regarding what he sensed and heard from the Lebanese side during his visit, Hookstein indicated that "the good news is that I found a greater consensus around the message and a serious preparation for the visit. They provided some ideas that form the basis for continuing the negotiations and advancing them."
The U.S. special envoy continued, "I think what I also heard was a clear understanding, which is that the real choice for Lebanon’s future, and the main concern of the presidents and other leaders I met, is to find a solution to the economic crisis that Lebanon is facing, which is closely linked to the oil file. Solving the maritime dispute is a crucial and important step to finding a solution to the economic crisis and to launching a path toward recovery and growth. Therefore, I believe what transpired was a serious attempt to consider available options for moving forward, without overlooking the idea that we must make concessions and think constructively."
When asked if he presented new suggestions or points, Hookstein denied that, clarifying that he came to Lebanon to listen to feedback on the proposals and points he previously raised.
Regarding the responses and ideas he received from the Lebanese side, Hookstein preferred not to disclose them currently "because we are in a sensitive phase where we are trying to bridge the gap between the two sides so we can reach an agreement between them. I believe this is extremely important for Lebanon, just as I sincerely believe it is extremely important for Israel. Therefore, before I disclose these ideas, I will share them with the other side and continue the process from there."
Hookstein viewed the Lebanese response as "moving the negotiations forward," and he stated that he would share these ideas with Israel, and once he receives a response and proposal from the Israeli side, he will convey it to the government in Lebanon.
When asked whether he discussed Line 29 with Lebanon, especially since the Lebanese army's technical and logistical team indicated that it is preparing a solid file concerning Line 29, Hookstein considered that "the strongest file that the Lebanese side should prepare is what may succeed. A successful solution requires abandoning the thought of whether I have the best legal case, whether I am in the best position, or whether I want to be the one who is right because sometimes when you are indeed right, you cannot prove it."
He continued, "There are two parties here, and on both sides instead of focusing on what is right for me versus what the other side sees as right for them, the thinking should focus on the energy that should be expended in considering what are the creative ideas that we can all agree upon. I may not get everything I wanted, but I got much more than what I currently have—nothing in Lebanon."
Regarding his stance on the idea proposed by the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, Gibran Bassil, regarding the principle of "Karishe versus Qana," Hookstein said, "I think many have formulated ideas about what the negotiations should look like. I believe the Lebanese government has made a very strong step forward today by proposing a unified approach and thinking seriously. I don’t think it’s limited to slogans, but it involves considering the type of settlement that can be reached and accepted by the Israelis without them feeling it contradicts their interests while preserving the most important part of Lebanon’s interests."
He concluded, "Therefore, it’s not about one formula or another, but rather what can be successful, and I think that’s where the difficulty lies. I know it’s tough because people love 'slogans,' and there is no doubt that matters are more complicated than that."
