Lebanon expects US mediator offer for maritime border with Israel within days

Lebanon expects a written offer from US mediator Amos Hochstein concerning the demarcation of a maritime border with Israel by the end of the week, Lebanon's presidency tweeted on Monday.

Lebanon's deputy speaker of parliament Elias Bou Saab met with Hochstein last week during a visit to New York and briefed President Michel Aoun on the outcome, the presidency added.

Hochstein has been shuttling between Lebanon and Israel - enemy states with a history of conflict - in a bid to forge a compromise over the maritime boundary that would allow both to explore offshore energy reserves.

A deal would defuse one potential source of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, both of which have threatened war over the dispute.

(Reuters)