U.S. mediated negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are expected to be launched within the next several weeks, during which Jerusalem and Beirut will discuss – among other key issues – the demarcation of an agreed-upon maritime border.
While no location or date have been made public, a senior Israeli official revealed that the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, which is located in the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura, is the most likely venue for the long-anticipated bilateral dialogue.
As initially noted, Washington is expected to mediate the negotiations, and a delegation led by U.S. Acting Assistant-Secretary for Near-Eastern Affairs David Satterfield has been engaged in shuttle-diplomacy in apparent efforts to alleviate prospects of war between the two countries, and establish initial parameters to resolve, among others, the years-long Israeli Lebanese border dispute.
A U.S. State Department official declined to elaborate on Satterfield’s activities, but underlined Washington’s readiness “to work towards solutions that are mutually agreeable to both parties.” Meanwhile, Lebanese sources confirmed that “progress” has been achieved; the Lebanese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to TV7’s request for comment.