Lebanese Jaafari Mufti Qablan to US Envoy Ortagus:

•  “Hezbollah has not been defeated and cannot be defeated. No power on Earth can eliminate it. Sovereignty belongs solely to Lebanon and its people, not to the US or its divisive, destructive agendas.”

•  “Lebanon will never become a colony of the US or “Israel”. The threats and intimidation are hollow. The US-Israeli plan, which faltered at the borders of Khiam, will never take root in Lebanon’s sovereign system.”

•  “A government excluding the National Duo will lead Lebanon toward an uncertain future. Be cautious with Speaker Nabih Berri, as any mistake with him could have catastrophic consequences for Lebanon’s political framework. We will not back down from our responsibility to protect Lebanon and secure its sovereignty.”

A group of young people has gathered in front of Beirut Rafic Hariri National Airport’s entrance to protest US Envoy Morgan Ortagus’ statement made at Baabda Palace. (Lebanese National News Agency)

Al Akhbar

Morgan Ortagus, the U.S. Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East, in Baabda:

– “Israel defeated Hezbollah, and we are grateful to them. We emphasize that Hezbollah should not participate in the new Lebanese government in any way.”

– “We hope for the end of Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon, and the era of the party’s intimidation in Lebanon and the world has ended.”

Al Akhbar