Today, Monday, the US mediator, Amos Hochstein, presented to Israel and Lebanon the final text of the maritime border demarcation agreement between the two countries.
The final version submitted by the American mediator was not disclosed, and is awaiting study by the two countries.
The formula was presented after extensive contacts took place with the leaderships of the two countries after Israel rejected Lebanese comments on the previous formula presented by the American mediator.
And the Israeli (Walla) news website said: “The US envoy, Amos Hochstein, sent to Lebanon and Israel the final text of the maritime border agreement and is awaiting their response.”
“It’s not done yet, but we are very close,” a senior US official told the website.
And the American mediator has been shuttling in contact with officials in both countries during the past months in an effort to reach a formula acceptable to both sides.
Yesterday, Sunday, the Lebanese presidency said in a statement that it is studying the final version of the American mediator’s proposal, in a thorough manner, in preparation for taking the appropriate decision.
And she added that Lebanese President Michel Aoun received a call from the American mediator, during which the latter briefed him on the latest results of the contacts regarding the demarcation of the maritime border with Israel.
The border demarcation agreement, once signed, is expected to facilitate the investment of potential oil and gas resources in the Mediterranean.