Morgan Ortagus, the US envoy, declared Hezbollah’s exclusion from the Lebanese government and praised Israel for defeating the group. She stated that Hezbollah’s military influence is over, committed to a timeline for Israeli troop withdrawal. President Aoun stressed that Israel must observe ceasefire agreements while Lebanon works on forming a new government under Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam. The situation remains tense with Israeli military actions in southern Lebanon.
During a conference held at Lebanon’s Presidential Palace, Morgan Ortagus, the US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, announced that Hezbollah will not participate in the Lebanese government, emphasizing that its “reign of terror” has come to an end. Ortagus expressed gratitude towards Israel for its role in defeating Hezbollah, highlighting the cooperation of the Lebanese people and government leaders in this effort.
In response to Hezbollah’s insistence on government presence, Ortagus stated, “I am certainly not afraid of Hezbollah,” asserting that they had been militarily defeated. She declared that the end of Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon and globally had commenced. Furthermore, she reaffirmed US commitment to a timeline for Israeli troop redeployment from southern Lebanon.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasized that Israel must cease its violations of the ceasefire, including troop presence in Lebanon, but did not address Ortagus’s comments about Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam is working towards the formation of a new government amidst ongoing discussions between parties.
Tensions remain high in southern Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes have intensified, and infrastructure damage continues. The deadline for Israel’s withdrawal has extended to February 18, with conditions for the Lebanese army to fully deploy and dismantle Hezbollah’s presence in specific areas.
Israeli officials assert that the Lebanese army has not upheld its commitments per UN Resolution 1701, citing continuing Hezbollah presence south of the Litani River as a concern. Ortagus’s statements reflect ongoing geopolitical dynamics between the US, Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon, particularly amid heightened military activities and diplomatic negotiations.
This article discusses recent remarks made by Morgan Ortagus, the US envoy, regarding Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon. The context involves ongoing tensions regarding Israeli troop presence and Hezbollah’s political role. Lebanon is currently facing the challenge of government formation, amidst external pressures and Hezbollah’s military capabilities. The article highlights the implications of these geopolitical factors, particularly in relation to US-Israeli relations and Lebanon’s internal politics.
In summary, Morgan Ortagus’s visit and statements indicate a firm US stance against Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon, thanking Israel for its military successes against the group. Tensions between Lebanon and Israel persist, particularly surrounding troop withdrawal and ongoing military activities. The Lebanese government’s efforts to form a coalition amid these pressures highlight the complexity of the political situation in the region.
Original Source: thecradle.co
