BEIRUT (AP) — A fresh face to the diplomatic scene, the newly appointed U.S. envoy expressed her hopes on Friday for the Lebanese authorities to be resolute in ensuring that the Hezbollah militant organization has no foothold in the upcoming government. Morgan Ortagus, a former State Department spokesperson and U.S. Navy Reserves officer, has recently stepped into the role of deputy special envoy for Middle East peace in Donald Trump’s administration, taking over from Amos Hochstein, who played a key role in brokering the ceasefire that brought an end to the 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Expressing gratitude towards Israel for its role in overcoming Hezbollah, Ortagus made her stance clear during a press conference following a meeting with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun. She commended President Aoun, Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, and all government officials committed to eradicating corruption, implementing reforms, and ensuring that Hezbollah remains excluded from the new government in any shape or form.
Drawing distinct lines, Ortagus emphasized the United States’ unwavering stance that Hezbollah will not be allowed to instill fear among the Lebanese people, including through participation in the government. In a country where the government has been in a caretaker mode since 2022, Nawaf Salam was named prime minister-designate by Lebanese parliamentarians, entrusted with the task of forming a new government.
Despite Salam’s avowal to move forward with government formation, progress has hit a snag. Lebanon’s intricate sectarian power-sharing system divides key positions among Christian, Shiite, and Sunni factions, with powerful blocs such as Hezbollah, the Amal Movement for Shiites, and the Lebanese Forces for Christians insisting on their respective shares of ministerial roles.
Simultaneously, in adherence to the ceasefire agreement, the deadline for Israel’s withdrawal of troops from southern Lebanon, initially scheduled for January 26, has been extended to February 18. Hezbollah, on the other hand, is expected to retreat beyond the Litani River, marking the boundary for a demilitarized zone.
The deployment of Lebanese army troops and U.N. peacekeepers in the area is part of the agreement, yet Israel has accused Lebanon of sluggish implementation, while Lebanon has pointed to Israel’s delayed withdrawal as a hindrance to progress. To oversee the ceasefire, a U.S.-led International Monitoring and Implementation Mechanism has been established, comprising representatives from Israel, Lebanon, France, and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Despite these mechanisms, Lebanon has accused Israel of multiple ceasefire violations. During a meeting between President Aoun and Ortagus, an Israeli airstrike targeted Sidon province, well north of the Litani River. The exact target of the strike was not immediately disclosed, and the Israeli military refrained from initial comments.
In a separate incident on Thursday evening, Israel announced
