BEIRUT (AP) — A fresh selection of a U.S. envoy expressed her optimism on Friday that Lebanese officials are fully dedicated to ensuring the exclusion of the Hezbollah militant organization from any role in the future government. Morgan Ortagus, a former State Department spokesperson and U.S. Navy Reserves officer, has recently taken on the position of deputy special envoy for Middle East peace in the administration of Donald Trump, succeeding Amos Hochstein, who played a key role in negotiating the ceasefire that brought an end to the 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
“We extend our gratitude to our steadfast ally Israel for quelling the threat posed by Hezbollah,” Ortagus declared during a press briefing that followed her meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. “It is the unwavering dedication of President Aoun, Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, and all members of this administration who are committed to eradicating corruption, implementing reforms, and ensuring that Hezbollah is completely sidelined from any involvement in the upcoming government.”
She continued, “The United States has clearly outlined our non-negotiable stance that Hezbollah will not be allowed to instill fear in the Lebanese populace, including through any governmental presence.”
The Lebanese parliamentary representatives have appointed Nawaf Salam, a seasoned diplomat and former judge at the International Court of Justice, as the prime minister-designate, entrusting him with the task of forming a new government in a country that has been under caretaker governance since 2022.
Despite Salam’s avowed determination to establish a new government, progress has hit a snag. Lebanon’s power-sharing system, which divides key positions among Christian, Shiite, and Sunni factions, has created an impasse, with influential blocs such as Hezbollah and the Amal Movement for the Shiites, as well as the Lebanese Forces for the Christians, asserting their claim to ministerial roles.
Meanwhile, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement, the deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, originally scheduled for January 26, has been extended to February 18. Hezbollah, on the other hand, must retreat north of the Litani River, marking the delineation of a zone free from non-state armed groups.
The deployment of Lebanese army troops and U.N. peacekeepers is set to take place in the specified area, but Israel has accused Lebanon of sluggish deployment, while Lebanon, in turn, has blamed Israel’s delayed withdrawal for impeding progress.
Monitoring of the ceasefire is overseen by an International Monitoring and Implementation Mechanism led by the United States and comprising representatives from Israel, Lebanon, France, and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Nevertheless, Lebanon has lodged accusations against Israel, alleging hundreds of violations of the ceasefire terms.
During the meeting between President Aoun and Ortagus, an Israeli airstrike targeted the Sidon province, located significantly north of the Litani River.
