BEIRUT: A senior U.S. diplomat has renewed his government’s offer to help mediate a dispute between Lebanon and Israel over an 850 kilometer offshore border area, Grand Serail sources said.

President Michel Sleiman and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati met Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy Amos J Hochstein Wednesday. “Hochstein conveyed his country’s support and readiness to help Lebanon, praising what has been achieved already [by Lebanon] regarding its oil and gas wealth,” a statement by Sleiman’s office said. “[The U.S. official] also expressed his country’s desires to help Lebanon develop its sector through the experience of U.S. [oil and gas] companies,” it added.

Hochstein is expected to hold a joint news conference with Energy Minister Gebran Bassil after a meeting scheduled later this afternoon. [Link]