The American movement in the file of the maritime border demarcation negotiations with Israel achieved a new breach, which was described as “tremendous progress,” without producing a final agreement that would restore the resumption of indirect negotiations between the Lebanese and Israeli parties in Naqoura, which will not be held before the completion of the agreement, pending the return of the American mediator. Amos Hochstein once once more “soon to the region to reach the desired result”.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told Asharq Al-Awsat that Lebanese officials felt “seriousness” this time in the negotiations, revealing that the American envoy “did not carry a specific proposal, but we discussed the proposed solutions,” declaring that he informed the Americans of “Lebanon’s insistence on demarcating the maritime borders.” » As an obligatory path to solutions, in reference to the proposals submitted by Israel, which stipulate the contentment of sharing the oil wealth amicably according to a formula that is acceptable to both parties. Berri announced that the American envoy promised to return with Israeli answers within two weeks.
And while sources were quoted that the American mediator left Lebanon in the evening to Israel through the Naqoura border crossing. Hochstein said in a television statement that the atmosphere during the past few weeks on both sides indicated a willingness to take negotiations seriously to address issues directly, hoping that “we will be able to narrow the gaps.”
In response to Hezbollah’s threats, Hochstein said, “I think the United States has been very clear that the only way to reach a solution to this long-standing conflict would be through the negotiating table and through diplomacy.”
