American envoy Amos Hochstein shakes hands with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Aug. 30, 2023, in Ain al-Tineh. (Credit: Nabil Ismail)
BEIRUT — American envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Wednesday morning as part of an official visit announced a few hours earlier by the US Embassy in Lebanon. During this visit, the official is expected to follow up on the agreement concerning the delineation of the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel, signed in October 2022.
Hochstein began his tour with a visit to Ain al-Tineh, where he was received by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. The American envoy made no statement after his meeting with Berri.
The US envoy's meeting with the Parliament speaker lasted an hour and took place in the presence of Ambassador Dorothy Shea, according to state-run National News Agency (NNA).
At the end of the meeting, Berri "thanked Hochstein for the efforts that made it possible to start drilling in Block 9," and "assured that Parliament's efforts will continue to be directed towards the election of a new president and the implementation of the requested legislation in the oil field."
Berri also "insisted on the need to put an end to Israeli violations of [UN] Resolution 1701." He referred to "deep-rooted relations," with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
"Lebanon is keen to preserve its stability and sovereignty", Berri added.
Hochstein made no comment, saying only that the meeting was "excellent and constructive," according to the NNA.
Hochstein then went to the Grand Serail, where he met with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
Hochstein also shared a photo of himself at 12:37 p.m. on X (formerly Twitter) having breakfast at Lebanese restaurant Falamanki in Raouche, Beirut, along with US Ambassador Dorothy Shea.
Great to be back in #Beirut. Quick coffee & manoushe @ Falamanki with the beautiful iconic view overlooking Raouche with the talented #US Ambassador Dorothy Shea. @USembassybeirut pic.twitter.com/IQUxiZ4cIL
— amos hochstein (@amoshochstein) August 30, 2023
The rest of his schedule has not yet been unveiled.
Earlier in the day, the US Embassy announced that "Amos Hochstein will travel to Lebanon August 30-31 to follow-up on the historic October 2022 Maritime Boundary Agreement."
"Senior Advisor Hochstein will also discuss areas of mutual and regional concern," the statement noted, without providing further details.
According to Lebanese media outlets, Hochstein, who was in charge of indirect negotiations between Lebanon and Israel regarding the demarcation of their shared maritime border, might this time address the delineation of the land border between Lebanon and the Israeli state. This is a topic that divides the Lebanese political class, as Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, opposes any negotiations on this matter.
Contacted by L'Orient-Le Jour on Wednesday morning to obtain more information about the American envoy's visit and his agenda, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Lebanon declined to comment.
The visit of the American envoy comes just hours before the annual renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), stationed in southern Lebanon. Pushed by Hezbollah, Lebanese diplomacy is continuing its efforts with the UN to secure the removal of Article 16 introduced last year, which grants a degree of independence to the UN peacekeepers in carrying out their mission without prior authorization from the Lebanese Army.
The Lebanon-Israel border has experienced increased tensions this summer, prompting Israel to warn the UN on Monday about a potential escalation at the border with Lebanon. In July, Hezbollah set up tents near the contested village of Ghajar on the border between Lebanon and the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, which Israel absorbed in July. During the same period, Israeli forces fired rockets towards Lebanon following mortar fire from the Lebanese side. In July as well, Israeli forces targeted a few Lebanese parliamentarians and journalists with tear gas along the border.
