Lebanon, on Tuesday, handed over to the US embassy its notes on the offer regarding the demarcation of the maritime border with Israel, according to what an official involved in the negotiations announced, at a time when officials hope to reach an agreement soon that will allow the country to invest its potential oil and gas resources.
“The response was delivered today to the American ambassador” to Beirut, Dorothy Shea, said Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Abu Saab, who is assigned by President Michel Aoun to follow up on the file.
He added, during an interview with the local television channel “LBC”, “I think it has become in the possession of the American mediator,” Amos Hochstein.
On Saturday, Lebanese officials received an American offer from the US ambassador regarding the demarcation of the maritime borders. After placing their comments on it, they were drafted into a report in preparation for sending it to Hochstein, to discuss its content with the Israeli side.
Lebanon hopes to get an answer at the end of the week in preparation for determining its official position on the agreement.
Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati said, on Tuesday, that “the matter is on the right path towards affirming Lebanon’s rights to its full waters.”
The content of the offer was not officially disclosed. However, the issued positions reflected optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement.
A Lebanese official familiar with the negotiations said on Tuesday that “the amendments requested by Lebanon aim to make the text more clear and not subject to interpretation.”
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