DAILY NEWS
US Energy Advisor and Mediator Returns to Lebanon
US State Department’s Senior Advisor for Global Energy Security Amos Hochstein, who has been mediating the maritime border negotiations between Lebanon and Israel as well as helping to facilitate energy deals among Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon via Syria, is visiting Lebanon this week. “We have an opportunity today. We have narrowed the gaps on the issue of maritime border demarcation and we can reach an agreement . . . We will not be the ones to conclude the agreement. Lebanon and Israel must decide to do so,” said Hochstein. [Arab News] “Mikati indicated that he would consult with President Michel Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to determine the Lebanese position’ on the talks, a statement issued by the premier’s office said Wednesday.” [L’Orient Today]
Maronite Patriarch Calls for IMF Agreement, On-Time Elections
Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi spoke on the occasion of Saint Maroun Day and urged the government hold its May 15 parliamentary elections on time in addition to accelerating the reform negotiations with the IMF so that an agreement can be reached. [Reuters]
National Library of Lebanon To Re-Open Tomorrow
According to the announcement issued by the Lebanese Minister of Culture Muhammad Mortada, the National Library of Lebanon will re-open following an inaugural ceremony that will take place on Thursday. This long anticipated re-opening comes after the institution, “first shut down 1979, during the country’s 15-year civil war that came to an end in 1990, and has since faced decades of limbo.” [L’Orient Today]
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.