State Department spokesman Ned Price. (Credit: AFP)
BEIRUT — US State Department spokesman Ned Price said Monday that a resolution to the maritime border dispute between Lebanon and Israel over the delineation of their maritime border is “possible,” despite recent war threats exchanged between Israel and Hezbollah.
Here’s what we know:
• Price said at a press briefing that “progress toward a resolution can only be achieved through negotiations between the two governments” of Lebanon and Israel. “We welcome the openness of the parties to reach a final decision that can bring more stability, security and prosperity for Lebanon as well as for Israel and the region,” he added.
• Price added that he has no information on when the American mediator Amos Hochstein will be traveling to the region to resume talks, assuring that the United States remains “committed to facilitating negotiations between Lebanon and Israel to reach a decision on the delineation of the maritime border.”
• According to a press release,Lebanese Parliament Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab on Monday spoke at length with Hochstein, who resumed talks between Lebanon and Israel after the arrival in early June of a gas platform in the Karish gas field off the coast of Israel, which had refueled tensions between Hezbollah and Israel.
• In regard to the ongoing maritime border dispute with Israel, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Monday during an event in Beirut’s southern suburbs commemorating the 40 year anniversary of the establishment of the party, that there are no updates “yet” and that Hezbollah regards “Israel’s threats to be worthless.”