U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea has thanked all Lebanese officials who contributed to reaching a tentative agreement with Israel over the demarcation of the maritime border, saying the deal “sets the stage for a more prosperous and stable Lebanon.”

In a video message, Shea expressed to all those involved Washington’s “profound gratitude, starting with President (Michel) Aoun and his team, Speaker (Nabih) Berri and his principal adviser, and Prime Minister(-designate Najib) Mikati.”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has hailed, in a statement, the "historic breakthrough on the Israel-Lebanon maritime boundary."

"This breakthrough promises to usher in a new era of prosperity and stability in the Middle East and will provide vital energy to the people of the region and to the world," Blinken said.

Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Tuesday cautiously welcomed the Lebanese, Israeli and American declarations about an imminent sea border demarcation deal between Lebanon and Israel, noting that his group will maintain its military readiness until the final agreement is signed by the two sides.

“We are awaiting the declaration of the official stance by the president… We are awaiting the official stance of the enemy's government. What's important is what will happen tomorrow in the meeting of Israel's cabinet,” Nasrallah said in a televised address marking the Prophet’s Birthday.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has said that he does not intend to change the date of Thursday’s presidential election session, despite the Free Patriotic Movement’s objection and declared boycott.

Told that the October 13 anniversary is a sensitive topic for the FPM, Berri asked: “Is October 13 an official holiday? No, not as far as I know.”

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati on Tuesday asked French energy giant TotalEnergies to kick start gas exploration off its shores, after Israel said the two countries have reached a U.S.-mediated deal to settle their maritime border.

Lebanon's search for gas riches in the hydrocarbon-rich eastern Mediterranean had stalled since 2020 over competing claims with Israel over offshore gas fields.

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil met Tuesday with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi and handed him a copy of a "presidential priorities" paper that had been announced last week by the FPM leader.

Bassil said that he will contact the parliamentary blocs to discuss with them the presidential paper.

Lebanon has secured its "full rights" in the latest text drafted by U.S. mediators to demarcate the maritime border with Israel, its lead negotiator said Tuesday, after Israel said it met its terms too.

"Lebanon has obtained its full rights, and all of its remarks have been taken into account," said lead negotiator Elias Bou Saab, the deputy speaker of parliament, after handing the draft to President Michel Aoun.

Both Lebanon and Israel have said that they are satisfied with a draft submitted overnight by U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein and that the draft may lead to a "historic" sea border demarcation deal that will allow both sides to explore for huge reserves of gas off their Mediterranean coasts.

Hochstein submitted an initial set of proposed final terms to Israel and Lebanon earlier this month.

President Michel Aoun on Monday said he hopes for a gas deal with Israel to be reached within the "next few days."

President Michel Aoun has received a phone call from U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein, who briefed him on the outcome of the latest round of talks with the Lebanese and Israeli sides, the Presidency said.

“Mr. Hochstein clarified that the discussion rounds have been concluded… and over the next few hours he will send a version that includes the final format of the proposal related to the demarcation of the southern maritime border,” the Presidency added.