Lebanese President Michel Aoun met with U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein, accompanied by Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab, caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, and members of the negotiating delegation with the U.S. side. President Aoun received an official U.S. message regarding the demarcation of southern maritime borders.
After the meeting, Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab stated from Baabda Palace: "U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein handed President Michel Aoun the text of the official agreement for maritime border demarcation, and signing this agreement with Israel is a 'historic achievement'." He added, "I would like to thank Hochstein; his efforts contributed to reaching this historic agreement, and we did not take sides with anyone."
Following this, U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein remarked: "I held several meetings here and I always said that I was optimistic. I am grateful that we reached this historic day and achieved the agreement. What is important now is what will happen after the agreement, and I believe it will be an economic turning point for Lebanon and its revival." He continued, "Nothing in this agreement will obstruct or delay work from the Lebanese side, and it allows for the commencement of exploration. Nothing will take the oil revenues from the Lebanese people." He added, "The most important aspect of the agreement is that it serves both parties, and it is not in the interest of either country to violate it. If either party breaches the agreement, it will not be in their favor." He noted that "the agreement allows for work to begin in the Qana field, and the rights of the Lebanese people are guaranteed by the terms of the agreement."
