US ultimatum: Disarm Hezbollah First.

US deputy envoy Morgan Ortagus summoned the Lebanese top diplomat and other ministers to attend a meeting at the embassy headquarters in Awkar.

Has the US diplomat become a high commissioner in Lebanon?

Observing the diplomatic norms sustains the national sovereignty of the countries. However, Ortagus summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Ministers of Energy, Public Works, Economy and Industry, Administrative and Financial Development, and the new Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon. She summoned them as if she were a high commissioner.

The journalist Mohammad Alloush told Al-Manar TV that Ortagus deliberately summoned the Lebanese officials instead of visiting them at their offices, adding that this hides a US intention to show that Washington completely controls Lebanon’s political situation.

The main question here is how the foreign minister Youssef Rajji accepted this diplomatic violation carried out by Ortagus who does not have the capacity of meeting ministers.
Source: Al-Manar English Website

US Deputy Envoy to the Middle East: Disarm Hezbollah First

US Deputy Envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, stressed the urgent need to disarm Hezbollah, claiming that the faster the army disarms the group, the quicker Lebanon will be freed from “foreign influence and terrorism”.

In an interview with LBC, she emphasized that Lebanon’s leadership and people must either cooperate on disarming Hezbollah and ending corruption to build a partnership with the international community, or risk losing that partnership.

Ortagus highlighted her focus on implementing a ceasefire, disarming Hezbollah, and supporting Lebanon’s economic reforms. She also revealed that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had not rejected the creation of three diplomatic committees to address sensitive issues such as detainees, border demarcation, and Israeli withdrawal.

Ortagus reiterated continued US support for the Lebanese army through training, funding, and equipment, praising its ability to assert more authority under President Aoun’s leadership. She expressed optimism about the new government and ongoing efforts to fully implement the ceasefire.

Ortagus began her visit with meetings with key Lebanese officials, including President Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, PM Nawaf Salam, Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal, and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.

Al Akhbar