What did the US State Department spokesman say on maritime border demarcation file?

US State Department spokesman Ned Price confirmed on Thursday that US Senior Energy Advisor Amos Hochstein will continue to work with Lebanon and Israel on the negotiations of the maritime border demarcation file.

 

In response to a question about whether there is any plan for Hochstein to go to Lebanon or Israel to push forward the talks between both countries on the maritime borders, Price said that they have not announced any travel for Amos Hochstein, adding that “he was in Lebanon, and he was in Israel just within the past few weeks.”

 

“We released a statement in the aftermath of his most recent travel, noting that he will continue to work with both countries, both parties,” Price explained, stressing that they welcome the constructive dialogue as well as the progress that has been achieved, and that they will do everything they can, in order to support that and to move it forward.

 

In response to another question about whether the US is trying to do anything to push the process forward in light of the internal situation, the government institutions that are collapsing, and the formation of a new government that is stalled, Price pointed out that “they have been in regular contact with the Lebanese partners.”

 

He went on to say that “they have urged Lebanese stakeholders to form a government capable of and committed to implementing reforms and restoring the trust of the Lebanese people,” indicating that they call on Lebanese leaders to act seriously and urgently to implement reforms and take the necessary actions to rescue Lebanon’s economy, including actions that can be taken during this current period of government formation.