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Soraya Shaheen wrote:
Well-informed diplomatic sources on Lebanese-US relations confirm that the negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, under the auspices of the United Nations, to define the maritime and land borders, will take place in the context of independent meetings and channels, in the that the US side will dialogue directly with both Lebanon and Israel, by way of mediation. While the United Nations sponsors this negotiation.
Sources say that the negotiations in Lebanon will be transformed into a constitutional body, under the supervision of experts in international law, to be appointed by Lebanon. For Americans, launching negotiations on land and sea borders with Israel is one of the most important types of reforms needed to lift Lebanon out of the collapse in which it is occurring, and one that may witness further deterioration in the coming weeks.
For now, the US initiative came in the direction of resolving issues, and this negotiation will help Lebanon and ease many obstacles that are presented to it, and remove much of the US congestion towards it. This will be positively reflected in the facilitation of a number of political issues, especially financial support, through the participation of international actors in a simpler way. It also opens the door to oil and gas exploration. The negotiation will also establish a climate of stability in the south and the region, through which the main commercial and investment companies will activate their investments in the Lebanese Sea to explore and extract gas and oil.
This is because large companies come to the region, if they are stable, and leave, if there is no secure climate of stability. It seems that there is an international and regional environment that helps and favors this negotiation.
As for the government and if this climate will extend to the formation of a new government, the sources do not rule out that this happens despite the fact that there are complications related to the increase in influence in it. And in his belief that the Americans did not facilitate the French initiative, and does not answer if they intentionally obstructed it to present their initiative on demarcation and the benefits it could bring to the country in various fields. The sources do not rule out a joint initiative between the United States, France and Europe. Noting that Washington was not satisfied with a single French initiative, and the Americans considered that they “do not stop” their decision according to a French initiative.
Certainly, in the context of the framework agreement on demarcation, Lebanon insists on the effective role of the United Nations in negotiating in form and substance. Ultimately, any role of the United Nations is subject to international political orientation, and not only necessarily to what is stipulated in Resolution 1701, which may carry various meanings and various obligations for the resolution of conflicts in the UNIFIL area of operations. Consequently, the international environment will govern the course of the role of the international organization in the process of delimitation and demarcation of borders.
Years ago, the United Nations offered to demarcate the Blue Line at borders, and there was an international political environment that allowed it. Soon, this atmosphere changed. Israel rejected the UN offer, and then, a month later, welcomed it. But the matter did not really happen, nor did the international atmosphere remain positive.
It is noteworthy that there is a role for the United Nations in the south, in addition to the tripartite security committee between Lebanon, Israel and the United Nations, where periodic meetings are held for this and contacts made by the United Nations with the aim of preventing escalation, reduce tension and deal with violations of all kinds.
Therefore, countries concerned about borders determine the framework of the UN’s intervention in the negotiation, and in the subsequent demarcation, as well as the duration and form of the negotiation, and the way to approve what will result from this negotiation. Consequently, the role of the United Nations in the areas of negotiation and demarcation is political and not just technical, as various possibilities may present themselves, and that is why Lebanon highlights its role.
The sources believe that everything that happens in the matter of gas and oil extraction in the region represents a struggle for the gas pipelines and not for their quantities. The most important of its lines, and Turkey interferes with the issue with all its might. It is imperative that the US ambassador to Turkey, David Satterfield, takes up the matter in one way or another, and may be consulted regarding Lebanon, as he is the US official who laid the foundations of the general framework agreement for negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. under the auspices of the United Nations, to define the southern maritime and land borders.
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