Biden administration envoy hopes to continue Lebanon-Israel talks

AuthorLAHAV HARKOV
Published date03 October 2021
Publication titleJerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)
"We can confirm that Amos Hochstein will resume his role as US mediator for the Israel-Lebanon maritime border talks, which he held during the Obama administration," said the spokesperson. "He looks to build upon the strong work done by Ambassador John Desrocher over the last year."

The special adviser is expected to visit Lebanon and Israel this month.

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"We welcome the appointment of a professional who will bring about agreements on the topic," said an Energy Ministry spokesperson.

Born in Israel, Hochstein spent his adult life in the US, working in Congress before the State Department and holding a similar envoy position in the Obama administration undersecretaries of state Hilary Clinton and John Kerry. He was considered a possible candidate for the Biden administration's ambassador to Israel.

At the end of the Obama administration, in 2015, Hochstein worked to kickstart talks between Beirut and Jerusalem about their disputed maritime border.

Those negotiations did not begin until October 2020, the first talks between the countries in 30 years, with Desrocher mediating. They broke down soon after.

Israel and Lebanon disagree about where the maritime border between their countries is drawn. Settling the dispute would allow for further gas...

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