Amos Hockstein, senior adviser to the president of the USA Joe Biden, said on Thursday (8/31) that it is time to demarcate the land border between Lebanon and Israelafter overseeing a maritime agreement between the two countries, which are technically at war.
“It’s time to review the framework (…) that allowed for an outcome on the maritime border, and also to work for peace”President Joe Biden’s energy security aide said during a news conference at the end of a visit to Beirut.
In October 2022, after much mediation by Hockstein, Israel and Lebanon have signed a “historic” agreement to demarcate their maritime borders and remove obstacles to offshore hydrocarbon exploration in the region.
Lebanon, which is relying on the presence of natural resources to deal with an unprecedented economic crisis, last week began exploratory drilling in block 9, site of the potential Kana field, part of which lies in Israeli territorial waters.
“In the last few days, I came here to get the point of view of the Lebanese government, to go to the south and see for myself the Blue Line and its surroundings in order to understand (…) what is needed to achieve a result,” he added.
After the withdrawal of the Israeli army from southern Lebanon in 2000 after 22 years of occupation, the UN drew a “Blue Line” defining the border between the two countries. UN peacekeepers have been in southern Lebanon since 1978. The UN Security Council on Thursday extended the mandate of the UNIFIL/Finul peacekeeping force in Lebanon for another year.
A stronghold of the powerful Hezbollah armed movement, a black sheep for Israel, the border region in southern Lebanon is the scene of sporadic violence between the two camps. In addition, several areas located on the border are the subject of claims between the two countries.
Hockstein also called for the election of a president in Lebanon who would “implement the reforms” needed to release international aid. This position is vacant from October 2022.
“I can’t wait to see how quickly the reforms will be implemented and I’m disappointed after all the missed opportunities,” he said.
During his visit, Hochstein flew by helicopter to Baalbek (east), where Hezbollah has a strong presence.
In 2006, a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah killed more than 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.
Source: News Beast
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