U.S. Middle East Envoy Urges Lebanon to Disarm Hezbollah Amid Rising Tensions

In a recent visit to Lebanon, U.S. Middle East envoy Morgan Ortagus pressed the Lebanese government to take steps to disarm the powerful Shiite militant group Hezbollah, a move that has been a longstanding demand from the United States and its allies. The visit comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, with a recent surge in Israeli attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and Syria that has raised fears of a renewed conflict.

Ortagus, who serves as the U.S. Special Representative for Iran, met with senior Lebanese officials, including President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Hassan Diab, to discuss a range of issues, including the disarmament of Hezbollah. The group, which is backed by Iran, has been a major concern for the United States and its allies, who view it as a terrorist organization.

The Israeli military has launched a series of airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in recent weeks, including a deadly strike on a senior Hezbollah commander in Syria. The attacks have been seen as a significant escalation of tensions in the region and have raised concerns about the potential for a wider conflict.

The U.S. envoy’s visit to Lebanon was seen as an effort to reinforce American pressure on the Lebanese government to take action against Hezbollah. Ortagus emphasized the need for Lebanon to assert its sovereignty and take control of its territory, including disarming Hezbollah and other militant groups.

The Lebanese government has long been criticized for its failure to exert control over Hezbollah, which has been accused of carrying out terrorist attacks and smuggling arms into the country. The group has also been involved in the Syrian civil war, fighting on behalf of the Syrian government.

The U.S. has imposed significant sanctions on Hezbollah and its affiliates, and has urged its allies to do the same. The Trump administration has also taken a hard line on Iran, which has been a key supporter of Hezbollah.

In her meetings with Lebanese officials, Ortagus also discussed the need for Lebanon to implement economic reforms and address its deepening financial crisis. The country is facing a severe economic downturn, including a sharp decline in the value of its currency and a rising debt burden.

The visit by Ortagus was seen as a signal of the U.S. commitment to stability in the region and its desire to prevent a renewed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The U.S. has long been a key player in regional diplomacy and has sought to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East.