Exclusive - Akhbar Al Yawm

The head of the American delegation to the indirect negotiations to demarcate the border, Amos Hochstein, left Beirut, promising to return after a few weeks, bearing the Israeli response to line 23 + the entire Qana field, but it seems that a "stumble" hit this return, as information indicated that Hochstein has not yet been able to discuss the requests The Lebanese government met with Israeli officials, due to the developments in Gaza, and the meeting of the Israeli mini-government before the Gaza aggression did not resolve Tel Aviv's position on the demarcation file.

Despite this, the international expert in the field of energy, Rudi Baroudi, considers that the chances of signing the agreement between Lebanon and Israel are still high, especially "if you put politics aside," saying: As long as there is a presidential agreement for the first time on the issue of borders, the matter is very important. It is supposed to lead to an agreement to "comfort" the people and the state, in the interest of the country.

Regarding the impact of the situation in Gaza, where it is understood as if the Israelis had taken a break from this file, Baroudi says: If the Israeli has been preoccupied in recent days with the developments on the ground in Gaza, it means some delay, but the information indicates that a semi-agreement has been reached in the light of the last visit Hochstein went to Lebanon, hoping that it would be a good gesture, and thus reach an agreement without any external factor impeding the file.

Is there anyone who seeks to delay the agreement until after the era of President Michel Aoun? Baroudi rules out the matter, "Everyone wants to eat grapes as soon as possible." And he adds: As long as the three presidents agree on this file, it means a bonus for all of us, and even for the negotiator, such an agreement facilitates a lot of his tasks.

Stressing the need to maintain optimism in this very important file, Baroudi considers that the result that has been reached is good and acceptable for Lebanon, especially in light of the circumstances it is going through, the administrative situation, the monetary crisis, and the crises of electricity, bread and fuel... and in return for all that. We have to have something" and therefore what has been reached on the demarcation of the border "is the best at the moment."

In response to a question, Baroudi believes that just signing the agreement on border demarcation, Lebanon can agree with companies without any concerns to start exploration, noting that the demarcation eases companies to work off Lebanese shores.

And the source concludes: The most important thing remains the presence of gas in the fields that will be owned by Lebanon.