US Gives Israel, Lebanon Deadline to Reach Compromise on Maritime Borders

The Israeli media reported that the American mediator in the file of demarcation of maritime borders between Lebanon and Israel gave the two countries a deadline to reach a compromise on the issue.

The US envoy threatens to resign his mission if that such a compromise did not being achieved within a few months.

“Axios”, a US news website quoted Israeli officials as saying that the American mediator   Amos Hochstein, had given the two parties a deadline until the parliamentary elections scheduled to be held in Lebanon in March 2022 to reach an agreement.

Hochstein visited Beirut two weeks ago, where he met the Lebanese president, Michel Aoun, and Prime Minister Naguib Mikati.

Last Sunday, the American mediator arrived in Israel, where he held talks with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Energy Minister Karen El Harar, and other senior officials.

According to Axios sources, Hochstein confirmed to the Israeli side that he does not intend to resume direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in the Lebanese town of Naqoura, but will instead carry out separate visits to Beirut and Jerusalem to listen to the arguments of the two parties and present an American proposal on "building bridges."

The US website stated that the American mediator warned that Washington sees the period remaining until the organization of the parliamentary elections in Lebanon as an opportunity to conclude a deal, especially at a time when Lebanon needs to save its economy and attract the largest possible amount of investments.

Axios quoted a high-ranking Israeli official as saying that   Hochstein said that he does not intend to put forward a proposal that will appeal to both parties, but on the contrary, they will not like it. The file is complete and will not be dealt with in any way."

The US website pointed out that Hochstein is a close figure to US President Joe Biden, and his statements confirm that the White House gives great priority to this issue.

Negotiations for the demarcation of the border between Lebanon and Israel mediated by the United States began in October 2020 but reached a dead end after a few rounds of dialogue.