The US mediator for Lebanon-Israel maritime border talks met President Michel Aoun in Beirut on Wednesday, months after indirect negotiations broke down.
Amos Hochstein, who is also a senior US adviser for global energy security, will also discuss potential solutions to Lebanon’s energy crisis. He is set to meet the Lebanese foreign minister later on Wednesday.
Petrol shortages have plunged the country into darkness intermittently for the past six months.
The US embassy said in a statement that Mr Hochstein will “discuss sustainable solutions to Lebanon’s energy crisis”. He arrived in Beirut on Tuesday.
His visit is part of a wider US effort to counter a push by Hezbollah for Lebanon to import Iranian fuel in defiance of US sanctions.
The group has presented Iranian fuel as a solution to Lebanon’s energy crisis, caused by a scarcity of foreign currency reserves after two years of economic meltdown.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said last week that Lebanon should request US sanctions waivers to import Iranian fuel. The group has been driving Iranian petrol illegally by lorry through Syria since August.
The Lebanese government said it was not involved in those operations.
The US has pushed for a deal to provide Egyptian gas to Jordan, where it will be used to generate electricity that can be transferred to Lebanon through Syria.
Mr Hochstein’s visit will also “underscore the Biden Administration’s willingness to help Lebanon and Israel find a mutually agreeable solution to their shared maritime boundary,” the US embassy said.
Lebanon and Israel do not have diplomatic ties and are technically still at war. The two countries have yet to officially demarcate their land and maritime borders.
US-mediated talks to demarcate sea borders broke down in May after Lebanon expanded claims over disputed areas.
The dispute has delayed hydrocarbon exploration for Lebanon in those areas while Israel has begun tapping into hydrocarbon discoveries.
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre V6
Power: 295hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 355Nm at 5,200rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
Price: Dh179,999-plus
On sale: now
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
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