Thursday, July 28, 2011

US mediating between Lebanon and Israel

Yes.  People in Lebanon and beyond have faith that US will be an honest broker and fair arbiter between Lebanon and Israel.  I mean, the last time Arabs believed that was in 1966.  "Meanwhile, the U.S. is also involved in the dispute and reportedly backs the Lebanese proposal (though Israel's foreign minister dismissed this). Entrusted with this headache is American diplomat Frederic Hof, who has good knowledge of the issue as well as of mapping affairs. Israeli media reported that Hof will head for Beirut soon for discussions.   The U.S. wants to avoid a sea version of the Shebaa Farms dispute, a low-level border conflict in southern Lebanon, and reportedly wants a cooperative Israel. But Washington also is likely seeking to ensure the interests of American companies already committed to business in Israel's northern gas fields."