During a conference in Lebanon, U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus declared Hezbollah’s exclusion from government and praised Israel for its role in defeating the group. She emphasized U.S. commitment to maintaining this stance and discussed the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawal, while Lebanese leaders expressed concerns over ongoing Israeli military actions.
During her inaugural visit to Lebanon, U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Morgan Ortagus, emphasized Hezbollah’s exclusion from the government and declared the end of its dominance, crediting Israel for this development. Ortagus stated, “We are grateful to our ally Israel for defeating Hezbollah,” attributing much of the progress to the Lebanese people and President Aoun alongside Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam.
Ortagus also reaffirmed U.S. commitment to preventing Hezbollah’s political and military influence, stating, “I am certainly not afraid of Hezbollah, because they’ve been defeated militarily.” She articulated that the era of Hezbollah’s “reign of terror in Lebanon and around the world has started… and it’s over.”
In other discussions, Ortagus addressed the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon, ensuring a coordinated redeployment alongside Lebanese forces. Meanwhile, President Joseph Aoun voiced concerns over Israel’s ongoing violations and troop presence, without addressing Hezbollah’s governmental ambitions.
Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam has faced challenges in forming a new government, especially with disagreements regarding Shia ministerial appointments between Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal movement.
Simultaneously, Israeli military operations continue in southern Lebanon, including recent airstrikes and infrastructure destruction. The timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli troops has been extended to February 18, as the Lebanese army works to fulfill its obligations under United Nations Resolution 1701, which Israel claims has yet to occur. Recent reports indicate that Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement have exceeded 1,300 instances.
U.S. involvement in Lebanese affairs has heightened amidst persistent regional tensions, particularly concerning Hezbollah’s role and influence within the Lebanese government. The Israeli-Lebanese dynamic further complicates this, with repeated calls for disarmament of militias like Hezbollah. Ortagus’s comments reflect ongoing geopolitical maneuvering aimed at reshaping Lebanon’s political landscape while backing Israeli military objectives.
In summary, Morgan Ortagus’s remarks underscore the U.S. stance against Hezbollah’s political participation while also supporting Israel’s military strategies. The complexities of government formation amid internal and external pressures highlight the fragile nature of Lebanese governance and the ongoing challenges posed by regional dynamics. As the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawal approaches, the situation remains precarious.
Original Source: thecradle.co
