Hochstein discusses land border, gas and stability in Lebanon talks

U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein’s visit to Lebanon reflected “Washington’s interest in stability in south Lebanon in parallel with the launch of oil and gas drilling works in the offshore Block 9 that borders Israel,” a media report said.

Hochstein and the Lebanese officials “discussed the file of the land border dispute with Israel, in addition of the oil extraction file, on the eve of the renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate at the (U.N.) Security Council for another year,” Asharq al-Awsat newspaper said.

Lebanese sources that followed up on the visit meanwhile told the daily that “the file of delineating the land border was raised in Hochstein’s meetings, especially the pending land border points that are preventing the delineation,” adding that “the Lebanese demand will be raised in an upcoming visit by Hochstein to Tel Aviv.”

The talks also tackled “files related to electricity, gas extraction should exploration in Block 9 determine the presence of commercial quantities, and the need for a U.S. guarantee for assistance in the exportation process,” the daily added.

Parliamentary sources informed on the visit meanwhile described as “positive” Hochstein’s visit and his meetings with Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker PM Najib Mikati and caretaker Energy Minister Walid Fayyad.

“Raising the file of the oil resources, the needed legislation, stability in the border area and defusing tensions indicates that the (American) drive is serious and Lebanon is looking forward to positive results,” the sources added.

Al-Joumhouria newspaper meanwhile said that Hochstein called on the Lebanese parties to “elect a president as soon as possible.”