New US proposals to demarcate the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel

Lebanon received new US proposals regarding the demarcation of its maritime borders with Israel, amid optimism that the two sides could reach an agreement after 5 rounds of indirect talks.

On Tuesday, US mediator Amos Hochstein held meetings with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Army Commander General Joseph Aoun and Director General of Public Security Major General Abbas Ibrahim.

Lebanese sources reported that President Aoun was briefed on the results of contacts made with Israel on the issue of border demarcation.

The Lebanese president affirmed his country's readiness to discuss the points raised by the American mediator.

On the other hand, Aoun presented suggestions that will be studied based on "the will to reach solutions to this file, and communication with the American side will continue to achieve this end."

Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that he will "consult with the President of the Republic and the Speaker of Parliament, to determine the Lebanese position on the proposals presented by the American community."

For his part, Berri affirmed his opposition to the "Hof Line" and stressed his rejection of any joint investment between Lebanon and Israel for gas fields.

Reducing the gaps

The US embassy commented on these efforts by saying that reaching an agreement on the maritime borders could create "a much-needed opportunity to bring prosperity to Lebanon's future."

The US envoy, Amos Hochstein, said on Tuesday that the gaps had been reduced on the issue of demarcating the maritime borders between Lebanon and Israel in the Mediterranean.

He added in an interview with the Lebanese channel, MTV, "We can reach an agreement, and Lebanon and Israel must decide to do so, as we will not conclude the agreement."

The Lebanese negotiating delegation says that the disputed area is 2,290 km, which Tel Aviv rejects.

The indirect negotiations of the two parties began in October 2020, under the auspices of the United Nations and American mediation, and five rounds of negotiations were held, the most recent of which was on May 4.