Bou Saab meets Aoun, says September decisive for demarcation

Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab held talks Tuesday in Baabda with President Michel Aoun over a host of issues.

Referring to the sea border negotiations with Israel, Bou Saab said the talks are “going in the right direction.”

“Communication and contacts will intensify in September and we hope we will be able to reach a result,” he said.

“We don’t want to let go of optimism, but we don’t want to say that we’re pessimistic,” Bou Saab added.

He also noted that all Israeli and Lebanese media reports tackling the issue are “inaccurate.”

“The U.S. mediator has told me that there are conflicting reports in the Israeli media,” Bou Saab told reporters.

And noting that “the U.S. side is committed to giving the issue utmost importance,” the Deputy Speaker said Lebanon has “received a message that they will continue the efforts.”

“There are major complications but are being resolved one after another,” he added.

“The month of September will be decisive. If it turns out that the Israelis are intransigent and do not want a solution, Lebanon will have other choices,” Bou Saab warned.