Upon receiving the U.S. envoy, Amos Hochstein, the head of the Lebanese legislature reaffirmed the depth of the relationship with the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL), established in the southern part of the nation since 1978. According to local reports, the parliamentary leader emphasized that Lebanon is very interested in maintaining stability; and in that sense; “it wishes to maintain its sovereignty over the entire national territory”, he added.
In the one-hour meeting, Berri appreciated the efforts of the U.S. official in initiating the exploration process in block nine within Lebanese waters.
He also expressed the commitment of the unicameral legislature to the election of the president of the Republic, the establishment of the sovereign fund for oil and gas, and the adoption of laws to implement the agreement with the International Monetary Fund.
For his part, the Washington representative described the meeting with the highest figure of the Parliament as excellent and constructive.
Prior to the meeting with Berri, President Joe Biden’s top energy and infrastructure advisor held a meeting with interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
On Wednesday, Hochstein began a two-day visit to the country to follow up on the historic maritime border agreement reached in October 2022 between Lebanon and Israel, as well as to discuss tensions on the southern border.
Adopted on August 11, 2006, Security Council Resolution 1701 emphasizes Lebanon’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence within its internationally recognized borders.
The Lebanese state has repeatedly held Tel Aviv responsible for the constant infringements of its national sovereignty by land, sea and air; and urged the United Nations to exert maximum pressure to stop them.
The two countries have been at war since the establishment of the State of Israel and throughout these years many crimes and aggressions remain in the memory of the Lebanese people in the face of Tel Aviv’s ambitions to seize the water of the Litani River and the oil and gas wealth.
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