The Lebanese government announced this evening (Saturday) that the new proposal submitted by the Americans to mark the border in the area of the "Karish" gas field is "positive" and even "meets our basic requirements" in regards to the fact that it will not have any effect on the land border.
He said these things to the newspaper "A-Sharq Al-Awast".
However, Berry noted that he still has to discuss the clauses before Lebanon officially responds.
Even though Shabri is considered a significant figure in the Lebanese government, and even probably the most senior Shia figure in official politics, it is not clear to what extent his words can influence the position of the Shia terrorist organization Hezbollah, even though he is considered its ally.
Berry said these words less than a day after the American mediator Amos Hochstein delivered to Lebanon the text of the administration's compromise proposal on the issue of the maritime border with Israel.
US Ambassador Dorothy Shay met with President Michel Aoun, with Prime Minister Najib Mikati and with Parliament Speaker Berry and updated them on Israel's position on the issue.
Aon confirmed on his Twitter account that the text of the settlement proposal was forwarded to him, and wrote that he called Mikati and Berry in order to consult with them on how to move forward with the procedure and deliver an answer as soon as possible.
It was also published that Ambassador Shay said that "things are going in a positive direction", and that cautious optimism prevails in Lebanon.
The two sides, Israel and Lebanon, are running a race against time: Israel has made it clear that it will begin producing gas from the Harish rig as soon as this is technically possible, and regardless of the negotiations on the maritime border issue, since in its view there is no question about the fact that the gas field in question is on its territory. , Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah threatened action if gas production from the rig begins before an agreement is signed to Lebanon's satisfaction.
In addition, the end of Aon's term at the end of the month may also make it difficult to reach a solution, if an agreement is not reached by then.
Aon is considered a relatively moderate factor in the indirect negotiations that have been going on over the years, and he even rejected proposals to demand that Israel give up part of the Harish gas field in favor of Lebanon.
Reports in the Lebanese media claim that the current proposal speaks of a sort of interim agreement, at least formally, with the aim of allowing the parties to begin drilling and gas exploration activities.
It is also claimed that the parties should later return to indirect talks in Nakara, with American mediation, where the points that remain open regarding the delineation of the maritime border will be examined, with the aim of reaching a final agreement.
Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah, photo: // Photo: EPA
According to what appears, the American compromise proposal will leave the entire Harish gas field in Israeli territory and Lebanon will recognize Israeli ownership of it.
In exchange for this, Jerusalem will make a concession regarding the potential field of Cana.
This is an area located north of Kharish and gas has not yet been discovered, but according to geologists, there is a reasonable chance of it.
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