Lebanon was on Monday mulling the written proposal prepared by US Energy Envoy Amos Hochstein in a bid to solve the maritime dispute with the Israeli regime.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun said a united stance towards Hochstein’s proposal will be announced after a meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri and Caretaker PM Najib Mikati, Lebanese Presidency reported.
President Aoun stressed on the other hand that “there will not be any kind of partnership” between Lebanon and the Zionist entity.
A meeting between the three senior Lebanese officials is to take place afternoon on Monday. The tripartite meeting will be preceded by a technical meeting on the issue at Baabda Presidential Palace at 13:00 (Beirut time).
Earlier on Monday, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Elias Bou Saab said that Lebanon has gained ground in the indirect maritime talks with the Zionist entity.
“Lebanon is in a steady position thanks to united stance, well-known point of strength and diplomacy,” Bou Saab told reporters at the Lebanese Parliament.
The Lebanese deputy speaker said the “atmosphere was positive”, pointing to the Israeli acknowledgment that “Lebanon has gained more than what Israel has done.”
“Lebanon hasn’t abandoned its rights and it took time in a bid to solve different forms of disputes regarding this affair,” Bou Saab said in remarks carried by Al-Manar.
Israeli War of Words
Meanwhile, Israeli officials trade accusations over the impending agreement with Lebanon.
In public comments on Sunday, Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu charged that Prime Minister Yair Lapid had “surrendered to Hezbollah’s threats,” and said that if he were able to form a government after the elections, he would “not be bound by the deal.”
Lapid responded in a tweet addressing Netanyahu directly, saying, “For 10 years you have failed in trying to bring about this agreement, at least don’t harm Israel’s security interests and help Hezbollah with irresponsible messages.”
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz also weighed in on Netanyahu’s comments, accusing the opposition leader of being guided by “irresponsible political considerations.”
Source: Al-Manar English Website
