Ortagus mocks Qassem’s weapons comments with a ‘yawn’

Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus openly dismissed recent remarks made by Hezbollah’s deputy leader Sheikh Naim Qassem, who once again rejected the idea of disarming the group. In response to a translated excerpt from Qassem’s speech shared on social media, Ortagus replied with a single word: yawn — a clear sign of her disregard for the statement.

Qassem had reaffirmed Hezbollah’s firm stance against relinquishing its weapons, warning that such demands only serve the enemy and could drag the country into internal conflict. He stated that the group’s arms are non-negotiable and any dialogue surrounding a national defense strategy must occur under appropriate conditions, not while Israeli aircraft remain active in Lebanese airspace.

Dialogue vs. Disarmament Pressures

President Joseph Aoun recently reiterated his intention to make 2025 the year Lebanon consolidates all arms under state control, expressing a desire to reach that goal through negotiations with Hezbollah rather than confrontation. However, Qassem countered that such dialogue cannot happen amid ongoing Israeli presence in southern Lebanon and frequent air raids.

Hezbollah’s position remains unchanged: they will consider discussions only after Israel withdraws and ends its military operations. Qassem emphasized that any talks about defense strategy, while under external military pressure, would be tantamount to surrender.

During her visit to Beirut earlier this month, Ortagus stated that the United States would continue urging the Lebanese government to honor the ceasefire obligations and disarm all militias, including Hezbollah. Qassem responded by rejecting what he termed as American interference and control over Lebanon.