Coinciding with the visit of Morgan Ortagus, Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs, to Lebanon and her meetings with Lebanese officials, Sami Gemayel, leader of the Lebanese Kataeb Party, declared that the disarmament of Hezbollah is no longer open for discussion.
On April 5, Gemayel told Lebanon’s LBCI television channel that the presence of weapons outside government control violates the constitution, the rule of law, and the principle of equality among citizens.
He emphasized that national reconciliation must not become a cover for the continuation of this situation.
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Gemayel also stated that the Syrian government, Hezbollah, and the Iranian regime have for years obstructed reconciliation among the Lebanese. However, he said that today, after five decades, there is a genuine opportunity for joint dialogue and building a shared future.
This Lebanese political figure stressed that reconciliation must be based on truth-telling and mutual respect for the diverse narratives of the Lebanese people. He added that as long as some believe they can impose their will through the force of arms, national consensus cannot be achieved.
According to Arabic-language media outlets, the Lebanese presidency announced that President Michel Aoun met with Ortagus on Saturday to discuss the situation in southern and eastern Lebanon, financial and economic reforms, and strategies for combating corruption.
A private meeting between Aoun and Ortagus took place prior to the official talks.
It had been anticipated that discussions on the disarmament of Hezbollah and limiting the group’s activities would be among the topics of the meetings.
Earlier, on February 7, Ortagus had stated at the Baabda Presidential Palace in Lebanon that the United States has drawn a red line: Hezbollah must not be part of Lebanon’s future government.
Referring to what she called Hezbollah’s “defeat” in its conflict with Israel, she stated that “Hezbollah’s era of terror is over.”
On February 8, Mohammad Raad, head of the “Loyalty to the Resistance” parliamentary bloc representing Hezbollah, described Ortagus’ remarks as “blatant interference in Lebanon’s sovereignty” and “entirely outside diplomatic norms and the principles of international relations,” calling them full of malice and irresponsibility.
On April 3, senior Republican and Democratic senators on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee warned that the Lebanese Army must accelerate the implementation of the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, brokered by the United States, or else Washington’s military aid to Beirut will be reconsidered.
Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, the group is required to move its forces and weapons at least 32 kilometers away from the Lebanon-Israel border. In return, Israel is to fully withdraw from the remaining occupied Lebanese territories, and the Lebanese Army will take control of the vacated areas.
During the meeting between Aoun and Ortagus, the two sides discussed matters related to southern Lebanon, the activities of the international monitoring committee, Israel’s withdrawal process, and the security situation along the Lebanese-Syrian border.
According to Al Hadath TV, financial and economic reforms, as well as the Lebanese government’s anti-corruption efforts, were also part of the negotiations.
Ortagus also met with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam during her trip and discussed enhancing economic cooperation, implementing structural reforms, and promoting financial transparency.
The U.S. envoy’s return visit to Lebanon comes at a time when the country continues to face economic stagnation, political turmoil, and a severe collapse in public infrastructure.
