Saad Hariri was cautiously optimistic about the prospects of a maritime deal with Israel and said that Lebanon is ready “to move from cessation of hostilities to a ceasefire” with the Israelis under a UN mechanism.
The Lebanese Prime Minister spoke at a roundtable in Washington on Thursday about the set of political and economic challenges that engulf Lebanon, and the threat of US sanctions.
“Our bilateral relation is very important with the US when it comes to aid, security cooperation, refugees, we are hoping to develop it, and to bring investments in the oil and gas sector,” he said, as negotiations between Israel and Lebanon mediated by Washington advance toward potential agreement about the maritime border.
Mr. Hariri was speaking right after a 40 minute meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the State Department.
Asked if the Trump administration made any demands from the Lebanese government relating to the alleged missile factories operated by the militant group Hezbollah in the country, Mr. Hariri confirmed that there are discussions but stopped short at giving details. “The issue of the missile factories was discussed in the past, and is now under discussion, it is an internal debate,” he said.
“There is a give and take [with the US] but I can’t get into details.”
He added that his government is trying to “find the best way not to put Lebanon in danger.”
At the same time Mr. Hariri pushed back, saying “we are not a police for the Israelis.”
He mentioned the daily recurring Israeli violations of the Lebanese airspace, and called for a more balanced approach in addressing both sides of the equation.
But then, Mr. Hariri revealed that his country may be open for a ceasefire with Israel.
“We are working seriously in Lebanon in accordance with UN Resolution 1701 that’s built on cessation of hostilities,” he said before adding “we want to move from cessation of hostilities to a ceasefire and for that to happen, other things have to be implemented. They [Israel] have to implement a part and we have to do ours.”
He explained that any such mechanism would be under the United Nations.
UNSCR 1701 was approved in 2006 and helped end the July war by unanimously mandating a cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.
Mr. Hariri also said Lebanon is keen to conclude negotiations on the maritime border with Israel which the US has been mediating and submitted a proposal this summer.
“This is vital and very important economically for Lebanon to allow oil and gas exploration, we are hoping for real progress in September” he said.
“We know from Americans that Israelis are eager to reach an agreement on maritime.”
If a deal is reached, it would demarcate the maritime border between Israel and Lebanon allowing oil and gas giants to come and drill in a disputed zone in the Mediterranean.
Source: The National
