Morgan Ortagus to Visit Lebanon with CENTCOM Commander

U.S. diplomat Morgan Ortagus is expected to travel to Lebanon later this week alongside the Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) for a series of high-level security discussions, according to a report by LBCI on Tuesday.

Focus on Security Coordination

The meetings will be held with senior Lebanese security officials and are expected to concentrate on coordination, intelligence sharing, and broader regional security challenges. Sources noted that the visit will not include any formal meetings with Lebanese political leaders, underscoring its strictly security-oriented agenda.

Why the Visit Matters

Lebanon’s security institutions remain under significant strain amid ongoing border tensions, internal instability, and the fallout from regional conflicts. The U.S. has long provided assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), viewing them as a stabilizing force within the country and a counterweight to non-state armed groups operating in the region.

The presence of CENTCOM’s top commander highlights Washington’s continued commitment to supporting Lebanon’s military institutions at a time of mounting pressures, including the impact of the war in Gaza, unrest along the Israeli-Lebanese border, and growing concerns over regional spillover.

For the U.S., maintaining close ties with Lebanese security bodies also reflects broader efforts to preserve stability in a strategically sensitive part of the Middle East.