The American mediator for the maritime boundary demarcation talks between Lebanon and Israel, Amos Hochstein, announced that the negotiations have achieved "very good progress" towards "reaching an agreement that would benefit the Lebanese economy." This statement came after his meeting with Lebanese officials in Beirut, amidst a sense of "caution" in Lebanon due to indications that the results of the talks suggest a delay, which raises significant doubts about alleviating tensions in light of "Hezbollah's" threats.
The two countries are engaged in American-mediated negotiations to delineate their shared maritime boundaries, which could help define the allocation of oil and gas resources and pave the way for further exploration. Hochstein arrived in Beirut yesterday, conducting a brief round of talks with senior officials, meeting President Michel Aoun, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, as well as Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab, Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib, and General Director of General Security Major General Abbas Ibrahim.
Hochstein updated the Lebanese officials about his communications over the past weeks following his visit to Beirut, which included talks with the Israeli side and the results of his visit to France, including discussions with the French company "Total" that is conducting exploration in Lebanese territorial waters, alongside the Italian company "Eni," according to sources accompanying the visit to "Asharq Al-Awsat."
The American mediator "did not bring a definitive Israeli response to the Lebanese demand he carried with him to Tel Aviv," emphasizing that the delay in reaching an agreement "is not satisfactory to the Lebanese, who insist on finalizing it as soon as possible." The Lebanese side "categorically rejects the premise of shared fields with Israel as a form of normalization," indicating that he traveled directly to Doha after his visit to Beirut.
Conflicting information has emerged in Beirut regarding the wave of optimism that appeared; while Hochstein declared from Baabda Palace after his meeting with President Aoun that there was "very good progress" in the talks, other reports indicated that the impression following some officials' meetings was marked by caution, considering that there are unresolved issues. Speaker Nabih Berri reaffirmed his insistence on returning to the "framework agreement" that stipulates indirect negotiations at the United Nations headquarters in Naqoura under its flag and supervision, facilitated by the Americans—negotiations that were halted in May 2021.
Amid Hezbollah's threats to take "action" if the visit does not yield decisive results, in light of the party's warning that it would not allow Israel to produce gas from the "Karis" field without Lebanon commencing energy exploration in its economic waters, informed sources regarding the visit indicated that the results of the talks signal a "delay in time," which adds significant doubts that it will contribute to reducing tension, adding that "there do not seem to be decisive outcomes from the talks with Lebanese officials." The sources stressed that Lebanon rejects any delay, stating it is not concerned with the other party's (Israel's) production or non-production. The sources stated, "We are determined to invest in all our fields and secure our full rights at sea."
