According to the Twitter account of the Presidency, Aoun exchanged with Hochstein in the presence of the United States ambassador in Beirut, Dorothy Shea.

As reported by the National News Agency, the meeting held at the Presidential Palace in Baabda ended without a statement to the press.

Subsequently, Hochstein met with the acting Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, to continue his two-day agenda with the aim of resuming indirect talks in the territorial demarcation on the south coast of the country.

Hochstein also reviewed the demarcation file on Tuesday with the commander of the Lebanese Army, Joseph Aoun, who confirmed his support for the national political authority in any decision it makes regarding the disputed file.

The US mediator held meetings with the Director of General Security, Abbas Ibrahim, and the interim Minister of Energy and Water, Walid Fayadd upon his arrival in Beirut yesterday at the invitation of the highest Lebanese authorities.

Hochstein’s visit is motivated by the presence since last week of a Energean Power ship at the service of Israel in the vicinity of the Karish gas field, located in the southern area between Lebanon and occupied Palestine.

pgh/llp/acl/yma