Gas exploration in Lebanon has been frozen for more than two years, but it has

now returned to the forefront of Beirut's political and media scene. It was not brought to the

table by any Lebanese government or official body, but rather by Washington.

On July 2-3, the US Department of State's special envoy and coordinator for international

energy affairs, Amos Hochstein, visited the Lebanese capital, where he met with a number

of Lebanese officials, including Prime Minister Tammam Salam, parliament Speaker Nabih

Berri, Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil and Energy Minister Arthur Nazarian. Following these

meetings, the US official made a series of press statements in which he stressed that the

subject of his visit was limited to Lebanese gas, its exploration and excavation process and

its current status...................continue reading