Ortagus calls Hezbollah a ‘cancer’, urges Lebanese to remove it

During a recent diplomatic mission to Lebanon, U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, met with key Lebanese leaders, including President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. The discussions primarily focused on the imperative to diminish Hezbollah’s influence within Lebanon and to bolster the authority of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) across the nation’s territory.

Ortagus underscored the necessity for the Lebanese government to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates the disarmament of all non-state armed groups, explicitly including Hezbollah. She highlighted that the LAF should assert control, particularly in southern regions of Lebanon, to prevent unauthorized armed presence and to curb arms smuggling activities along the Syrian border. This stance aligns with the U.S. administration’s broader objective to curtail Hezbollah’s operational capacity and influence within Lebanese governance structures.

In addition to security concerns, Ortagus expressed support for Lebanon’s ongoing economic reform initiatives aimed at combating corruption and revitalizing the nation’s economy. She acknowledged steps such as lifting banking secrecy, drafting reforms for the banking sector, and establishing transparent mechanisms for state appointments. Ortagus emphasized the urgency of finalizing an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to facilitate Lebanon’s economic recovery.

The U.S. envoy’s visit reflects a concerted effort to address both the security challenges posed by Hezbollah’s armed presence and the economic hardships facing Lebanon, advocating for comprehensive reforms and the restoration of state sovereignty.