The United States has demanded that Hezbollah must not be part of Lebanon’s government.
Washington’s Deputy Middle East Envoy, Morgan Ortagus said after meeting Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun that she was “not afraid” of the armed group “because they’ve been defeated militarily.”
However, she said that the US has made its continued role in the government a “red line.”
Ortagus told reporters, “We have set clear red lines … that [Hezbollah] won’t be able to terrorise the Lebanese people, and that includes by being a part of the government.”
The Shia Muslim, Iran-backed, Hezbollah is believed to have been weakened by Israel’s recent war on Lebanon, but maintains a significant political role.
Ortagus is the first senior US official to visit Lebanon since US President Donald Trump took office and since Aoun was elected President.
Her visit comes amid a stalled cabinet formation process in Lebanon, where government posts are apportioned on sectarian lines. Hezbollah’s ally, the Amal Movement, has insisted on approving all Shia Muslim ministers, keeping the process in deadlock.
The ceasefire brokered by the United States and France to end the fighting in late November set a deadline of 60 days for Israel to withdraw from south Lebanon, and for Hezbollah to pull out its fighters and arms and for Lebanese troops to deploy to the area.
However, Israeli forces have remained in south Lebanon to conduct demolishing operations in border villages and the withdrawal deadline has now been extended to February 18, 2025.
Ortagus referred to the new withdrawal date on Friday but did not explicitly say the Israeli army would withdraw from Lebanese territory.
“February 18 will be the date for redeployment, when the [Israeli] troops will finish their redeployment, and of course, the [Lebanese] troops will come in behind them, so we are very committed to that firm date.”
Morgan Ortagus
Lebanese Army Poised To Deploy
On his part, Lebanon’s President, Joseph Aoun confirmed that the Lebanese army is ready to deploy in villages and towns from which Israeli forces will withdraw, ensuring that the withdrawal is completed by the set deadline of February 18, 2025.
During his meeting with Morgan Ortagus, Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East, President Aoun stressed, “Israeli attacks must stop, including the killing of innocent civilians and soldiers, the destruction of homes, and the burning and clearing of agricultural lands.”
“Permanent stability in the south relies on the completion of Israel’s withdrawal from the territories it occupied during the last war and the full implementation of Resolution 1701, including the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
“The release of Lebanese detainees is an integral part of this agreement.”
Joseph Aoun
Aoun also highlighted that cooperation with international forces continues constructively to implement Resolution 1701, aiming to secure stability and gradually restore life to the liberated areas, which require a comprehensive plan and basic living conditions.
The President pointed out that consultations to form a new government are nearing completion, with the new government expected to be cohesive and capable of fulfilling the aspirations and hopes of the Lebanese people, as outlined in his inaugural speech.
Finally, President Aoun extended his greetings to U.S. President Donald Trump, thanking him for the ongoing support the United States provides to Lebanon across various sectors.
According to the Lebanese National News Agency, Morgan Ortagus conveyed US President Donald Trump’s congratulations to President Aoun and wished him well in his presidential duties.
She stressed, “The United States stands with Lebanon and the Lebanese people.”
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