Bou Saab to Asharq Al-Awsat: Things are not stagnant, nor are we overly optimistic or pessimistic
Lebanese officials are silent about the negotiations to demarcate the maritime borders with Israel, led by the American mediator Amos Hochstein, but indications of the last hours suggest a promising movement, especially with the direct entry of US President Joe Biden on the line of advancing the negotiations.
A Lebanese source following the negotiation process asserts that the negotiating atmosphere is completely different from what is being circulated in the media from the negative atmosphere, suggesting that this atmosphere necessitated moving to the stage of statements after a long silence. A call made by President Biden with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on the eve of Hochstein’s meeting with Israeli officials, and finally, with a clear statement from Biden himself, shifts the interest to the top of the pyramid of the American administration.
The source points out that the global energy crisis and US interests (with Europe) mean that stability in the region is very important, and these factors gave Lebanon an opportunity to reach a solution commensurate with its demands, which could constitute a solution to Lebanon’s political, economic and financial crises.
Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Elias Bou Saab, who is in charge of communicating with Hochstein, told Asharq Al-Awsat that he hopes to obtain Israeli answers within the next two weeks, after the new American momentum. Bou Saab, who refuses to go into details, explains that Lebanon “does not become overly pessimistic or optimistic about this file, especially since things are not stagnant”, avoiding giving specific details about Lebanon’s demands and what Israel is proposing in this regard.
Bou Saab does not hide his happiness at the ability of the Lebanese side to stop leaks that could harm the negotiation process, and he does not hide that the aim of this secrecy is not to embarrass the other side, so it feels compelled to popularly retreat. There is great benefit in this file for Lebanon, which is mired in its political, economic and financial crises.” He said: “In the last week, I sensed an escalation in the pace of communication by the American mediator. The work has never stopped, and secrecy is in the interest of the negotiations, and we are now waiting for an evaluation by Hochstein of his meetings with the Israelis, after which he will communicate with me or send something in writing.”
A source familiar with the atmosphere of the White House confirmed that Hochstein’s “solid efforts are continuing to reach a conclusion on the issue of maritime border demarcation.” He said, “We continue to narrow the gaps between the two parties, and we believe that a permanent settlement is possible, and we welcome the high negotiating spirit shown by the two parties to reach a solution.” The source explained that envoy Hochstein talks daily with Israeli and Lebanese officials, most notably Elias Bou Saab. US Ambassador Dorothy Shea also communicates with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Prime Minister and their advisors.
The source stressed that resolving the dispute over the maritime borders “is a primary priority for the administration of President Biden, and we believe that reaching an agreement will lead to strengthening lasting stability and economic prosperity in both countries.”