Amos Hochstein, a senior advisor to US President Joe Biden, recently visited Beirut with a two-fold mission. Firstly, he explored the potential avenues for resolving the long-standing border dispute between Lebanon and Israel. This visit comes nearly a year after he successfully brokered a landmark maritime border agreement between the two nations, a deal that has sparked hopes of easing Lebanon’s severe economic crisis.
During his stay, Hochstein voiced his concern over Lebanon’s reluctance to implement critical reforms, a stance that has only exacerbated the nation’s historic economic meltdown. Hochstein, a key figure in the earlier maritime agreement, held discussions with several top Lebanese officials, including the caretaker prime minister and the Parliament speaker.
Regarding the border dispute, Hochstein clarified that his visit aimed to understand the perspectives of the Lebanese government and assess the requirements for a potential resolution. He emphasized his intention to seek the Israeli viewpoint as well before determining whether the conditions are ripe for progress. He reiterated the United States’ commitment to fostering stability and security in the region.
The disputed territory includes Shebaa Farms and the Kfar Shouba hills, which were seized by Israel from Syria during the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed as part of Israel’s Golan Heights in 1981. However, Lebanon contends that these areas, a source of tension for many years, rightfully belong to Lebanon.
Lebanon has been grappling with an unprecedented economic and financial crisis rooted in decades of corruption and political mismanagement. Despite international calls for reforms to unlock much-needed loans and investments, the country’s political elite has been slow to act, exacerbating the crisis.
In August, an offshore drilling rig arrived off Lebanon’s Mediterranean coast, ready to commence operations in hopes of discovering valuable natural resources. Hochstein expressed cautious optimism about Lebanon’s potential but underscored his impatience with the pace of reforms, labeling missed opportunities as a source of disappointment.
Nevertheless, he assured Lebanon of the continued support of the United States as it strives to navigate the path toward economic recovery and peace. Hochstein recognized the aspirations of the Lebanese people, who eagerly await the election of a president and the formation of a fully functional government. Currently operating with a caretaker government since October of the previous year, Lebanon remains in dire need of strong leadership to address its multifaceted challenges.