Sea Border Panel Meets Anew, Still Expected to Reject Hochstein's Proposal

A Lebanese committee studying a proposal put forward by U.S. energy envoy Amos Hochstein held its second meeting yesterday in Baabda, al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Hochstein had recently submitted to Lebanon a new proposal for the demarcation of its sea border with Israel. According to the newspaper, Hochstein’s suggestion includes modifications to the maritime border that would give Lebanon less than the 860 square kilometers that Line 23 would secure.

“The atmosphere within the committee, whose meeting was partly attended by President Michel Aoun, does not indicate that Lebanon has endorsed any option,” the daily said.

“It is still studying all possibilities,” the newspaper added.

A source informed on the meetings meanwhile told the daily that the conferees discussed “the disadvantages of the U.S. proposal, with Lebanese Petroleum Administration head Wissam Chbat and the head of the army’s hydrographic dept. Lt. Col. Afif Ghayth presenting technical explanations about the proposal and warning of the risks emanating from agreeing to Hochstein’s suggestion.”

“Therefore, there are broad expectations that the proposal in its current format will not be accepted,” al-Akhbar said.