U.S. Ready to Facilitate Maritime Talks between Lebanon, Israel

The United States is ready and willing to help in facilitating maritime border talks between Lebanon and Israel which will have benefits for the crisis-hit Lebanese economy, a US envoy said on Thursday.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun welcomed Thursday U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs David Hale, along with U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea.

Hale reaffirmed the United States’ full commitment to support Lebanon and the Lebanese people, who are suffering due to the leaders’ failure to solve economic problems, the Lebanese Presidency revealed on Twitter.

Also, Hale noted that there is a possibility to form and support a strong government that is capable of stopping the economic collapse and carrying out significant reforms.

Therefore, he asserted that the U.S. is completely ready to facilitate negotiations between Lebanon and Israel over the maritime borders, brining experts to help in this file.

On his part, Aoun stressed the importance of continuing the border demarcation negotiations and completing the United States' role as a mediator.

Moreover, Aoun said that Lebanon has the absolute right to establish its position in the negotiations according to its interest and in accordance with international law and the constitutional principles.

The Lebanese President called for adopting international experts to demarcate the line according to the international law, urging for not to carry out any exploration activity in the Karish main field nor the adjacent waters.

Eventually, he mentioned that all efforts will be exerted to make sure that the border demarcation would be a subject of consensus among the Lebanese rather than a subject of pision, aiming at strengthening Lebanon's role in the talks.