Lebanon receives US ‘offer’ over Israel maritime border deal

Beirut, Lebanon (AFP):

Lebanon has received a letter from US envoy Amos Hochstein containing an “offer” on a maritime border deal with Israel over an area claimed by Lebanon, rich in offshore gas fields.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati met with the US ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea “who delivered a written offer from the US mediator”, the premier’s office said.

President Michel Aoun also met with Shea “who handed him a written letter… containing proposals regarding the demarcation of the southern maritime border,” Aoun’s office said.

Aoun contacted Mikati and parliament speaker Nabih Berri to discuss ways to follow up on the “offer” and deliver Lebanon’s response “as quickly as possible”, the presidency added.

Lebanon and Israel, whose border is UN-patrolled, have no diplomatic relations.

Saturday’s announcement followed a flurry of statements by Lebanese officials, including Aoun and Mikati, expressing optimism that a deal with Israel was near.

“The Lebanese response will be made as soon as possible, in preparation for the next step,” an official at the president’s office said on the condition of anonymity.

Last month, Aoun told the UN’s special coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, that “negotiations to demarcate the southern maritime borders are in their final stages.”