Lebanon says US mediation on Israel border issue viable

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri said Thursday that he is open to future negotiations under US mediation to resolve his country’s border disputes with Israel.

After a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Hariri said he had “confirmed” Beirut’s “commitment” to “continuing the negotiation process” launched by the US government on “land and maritime borders.”

“We consider the process to be viable,” he told reporters, promising a “final decision in the coming months -- hopefully September.”

Standing by Hariri’s side for brief remarks to the press, Pompeo welcomed the Lebanese prime minister’s “commitment to make progress towards the resumption of productive expert-level discussions.”

Those discussions should cover “the handful of remaining points with respect to the ‘blue line’” -- a demarcation line drawn by the United Nations to mark Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000.

Also on the table will be “the initiation of discussions on the Israel-Lebanon maritime border,” Pompeo said.