US Energy Envoy Amos Hochstein rejected to take a question by Al-Manar correspondent while talking to reporters after a meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Thursday.
Al-Manar’s Hasan Hamzeh took permission from Baabda Palace officials to ask Hochstein. When he started to say that the microphone is with him and that he would pose a question, US Ambassador Dorothy Shea instantly asked Rafik Chalala, the head of the Presidency’s press office, if the reporter who was talking was Al-Manar reporter.
When Shea was sure that Hamzeh was our correspondent she whispered to Hochstein, who ignored the question.
Hamzeh added, meanwhile, that he was requested to move away the microphone which holds the logo of Al-Manar.
Hochstein was in Baabda Palace, where he handed over the official maritime deal between Lebanon and the Zionist entity to President Michel Aoun who signed the deal.
After leaving Baabda, Hochstein headed to the southern town of Naqoura, where a ceremony to sign the deal will be held.
Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported that during ceremony, Lebanese and Israeli delegations will sign the deal in separate rooms.
“Lebanon is not expected to sign the agreement until after the Israel side does so,” Al-Akhbar said, adding that once the deal is inked, Beirut and Tel Aviv will send letters to the United Nations laying out the terms of the deal.
Source: Al-Manar English Website
