US Special Presidential Coordinator for Global Infrastructure and Energy Security, Amos Hochstein, arrived on Wednesday in Beirut for a two-day visit aimed at discussing several issues with the Lebanese officials.
The US envoy started his meetings in Ain Al-Tineh where he met House Speaker Nabih Berri in presence of US Ambassador to Lebanon, Dorothy Shea.
In turn, Speaker Berri renewed his thanks for the efforts made by Hochstein that resulted in the start of the exploration process in Block No. 9, stressing that “the efforts of the Parliament will remain focused on electing a new president of the republic, and completing the required legislations in the oil field, most notably the sovereign fund, as well as the legislations required to complete the agreement with the International Monetary Fund.”
Speaker Berri stressed before the American envoy, “the need to stop the Israeli violations of International Resolution 1701,” highlighting “the depth of the relationship with the international peacekeeping forces “UNIFIL” since 1978 until now.” Berri also stressed Lebanon’s keenness on preserving stability as well as its keenness on its sovereignty over the entire Lebanese soil.
The caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati received Hochstein at the Grand Serail in presence of the US Ambassador and Mikati’s Diplomatic Advisor, Ambassador Boutros Asaker.
The meeting discussed the general situation, according to media reports which added that Mikati invited Hochstein to take lunch at the Serail.
Hochstein is scheduled to meet also caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, Energy Minister Walid Fayyadh, and Army Commander General Joseph Aoun.
According to media reports, Hochstein planned to discuss with the Lebanese officials the land borders between Lebanon and occupied Palestine, the start of the gas excavation in Block 9, and the renewal of the UNIFIL mission.
In this regard, Lebanon rejects any discussion pertaining the demarcation of the land borders and insists that the controversial positions are occupied by the Israeli enemy. Moreover, Lebanon shows keenness on exploiting all its maritime resources without any delay or violation. Regarding the UNIFIL mission, the Lebanese government has reiterated refusal of any amendment to the essence of the role of the UN peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon.
Hochstein mediated the indirect agreement (reached in October, 2022) between Lebanon and the Zionist entity on the demarcation of the maritime borders. At the beginning of his mission, the US envoy had attempted to impose the Israeli conditions on the Lebanese negotiators; however, Hezbollah’s drones flight over Karish gas field obliged Hochstein and ‘Israel’ to accept the Lebanese terms.
Source: Al-Manar English Website
