In a bold statement on Sunday, Morgan Ortagus, the U.S. Envoy to the Middle East, called for the immediate disarmament of Hezbollah and other militant groups operating in Lebanon. Speaking during an exclusive interview with Lebanese broadcaster LBCI, Ortagus emphasized that Lebanese security forces should take the lead in addressing the growing threat posed by armed factions in the country.
Ortagus’s comments came at the conclusion of her three-day visit to Beirut, where she held important discussions with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, and other key government officials and political leaders. Her visit followed weeks of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, including Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon targeting the Iran-backed militant group’s fighters and weapons depots.
The Israeli strikes, which included bombings in Beirut’s southern suburbs, were a direct response to rocket fire from Lebanese territory into Israel. Despite the exchange of fire, Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the rocket attacks, further deepening the regional crisis.
Ortagus, reflecting on the situation, described the exchange of fire as a significant test for the already fragile ceasefire that ended the year-long war between Israel and Hezbollah. She stressed the need for the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, saying, “It’s clear that Hezbollah has to be disarmed. Israel will not tolerate terrorists firing rockets into its territory, and that’s a position we understand.”
The U.S. Envoy also called on the Lebanese government to uphold its commitment to a cessation of hostilities, which includes disarming Hezbollah and other militias operating in the country. “We continue to press the Lebanese government to fully implement the cessation of hostilities, and that must include disarming Hezbollah and all militias,” Ortagus stated firmly.
This call for Hezbollah’s disarmament highlights the broader security concerns in Lebanon, where the influence of armed groups has been a source of ongoing instability. With the international community closely monitoring the situation, the pressure on Lebanese authorities to take decisive action has never been greater.
