US Ambassador Amos Hochstein said Thursday that the time had come to demarcate the land border between Lebanon and Israel after observing a maritime agreement between the two countries, which are technically at war, AFP reported.

“It’s time to review the framework (…) that has allowed us to get results on the maritime border as well as work for peace on land,” President Joe Biden’s senior energy security adviser told a news conference at the end of a visit to Beirut.

In October 2022, after extensive mediation by Hochstein, Israel and Lebanon signed a “historic” agreement to demarcate their maritime border, thereby removing obstacles to offshore hydrocarbon exploration in the area.

Lebanon, which is relying on natural resources to cope with an unprecedented economic crisis, last week began exploratory drilling in Block 9, home to the potential Kana field, part of which lies in Israeli territorial waters.

“In the last few days, I came here to find out the point of view of the Lebanese government, to go south and see with my own eyes the Blue Line and its surroundings, to understand (…) what is needed to get the potential result,” he added.

After the withdrawal of the Israeli army from southern Lebanon in 2000, after 22 years of occupation, the UN drew a “blue line” marking the border between the two countries. UN peacekeeping forces have been present in southern Lebanon since 1978.

A stronghold of the powerful armed movement Hezbollah, Israel’s dark beast, the border zone in southern Lebanon is the scene of sporadic violence between the two sides. In addition, several areas along the border are disputed between the two countries.

Hochstein also called for the election of a Lebanese president who would “carry out the reforms” needed to unblock international aid. This position is vacant from October 2022.

“I look forward to seeing how quickly the reforms are implemented, and I am disappointed after all the missed opportunities,” he said.

During his visit, Hochstein traveled by helicopter to Baalbek (to the east), where Hezbollah has a strong presence.

In 2006, a devastating war broke out between Israel and Hezbollah, killing more than 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.