U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff denied reports of discussions with a Lebanese official, calling them false and misleading. He affirmed Lebanon’s independence and the U.S. support for its leadership. The initial report inaccurately suggested dissatisfaction with Lebanon’s management of relations with Hezbollah and proposed negotiations with Israel.
Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, has refuted a media claim regarding discussions with a Lebanese official in Doha, labeling the assertion as “baseless, false and misleading.” His office emphasized the negative impact of such rumors on the credibility of media sources and stated that they only contribute to confusion.
Witkoff’s statement highlighted that Lebanon, as an independent nation, will make its own decisions, expressing trust in the Lebanese government’s capability. He further noted that the U.S. government, under the Trump Administration, supports Lebanon’s current leadership in its pursuit of enhancing state sovereignty, instituting reforms, and addressing the populace’s demands.
The initial report by An-Nahar had characterized Witkoff’s alleged remarks, stating dissatisfaction with the performance of Lebanese officials regarding Hezbollah. It claimed that Lebanon would need to engage in direct political negotiations with Israel, assigning a civilian representative for the task, supposedly seeking a strategy aligned with Ron Dermer, a minister in the Israeli government.
In summary, Steve Witkoff has decisively rejected claims linking him to negotiations involving Lebanon and Israel, reinforcing Lebanon’s autonomy and the support of the U.S. for its current leadership. The emphasis on maintaining a credible and factual dialogue remains crucial amidst the dissemination of potentially misleading reports.
Original Source: naharnet.com
