Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Wednesday that he hoped his successor would complete the implementation of the anti-corruption process. He also noted that negotiations over the demarcation of the maritime border “have gone a long way,” pointing to technical details that are currently being studied “for the interest of Lebanon, its rights and sovereignty.”
The president’s remarks came during a meeting with the new executive council of the Informatics and Technology Syndicate, at the Baabda Palace.
“The completion of the demarcation of the southern maritime borders will enable Lebanon to launch oil and gas exploration in the specified fields within its exclusive economic zone, which will give the Lebanese economy a positive impetus,” Aoun stated.
He added: “The communications to complete the demarcation file have gone a long way… There are technical details that are currently being studied for the interest of Lebanon, its rights and sovereignty.”
US Mediator Amos Hochstein visited Beirut last week and met with senior Lebanese officials to listen to their viewpoint on some of the outstanding matters in the ongoing negotiations with Israel.
“I think we’re making good progress,” Hochstein said following his meeting with Aoun. “I’m very hopeful we can reach an agreement.”
The US envoy was expected to convey the Israeli response to Lebanese conditions for the maritime border Friday.
On a different note, Aoun told his visitors on Wednesday that the criminal financial audit of the Central Bank’s accounts was underway, adding that the first phase was set to be concluded by the end of September.
He also expressed hope that his successor would complete the implementation of projects launched under his tenure, in particular the process of combating corruption.
