US envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, on Sunday called for the immediate disarmament of Hezbollah and other armed groups in Lebanon, emphasizing that the Lebanese security forces should lead the initiative.
Ortagus made the remarks during an interview with Lebanese broadcaster LBCI at the conclusion of her three-day visit to Beirut.
During her visit, she met with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, and other senior government officials and political leaders.
Her trip came amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, following a series of Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese territory. The strikes targeted Hezbollah fighters and weapons depots, including two located in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The raids were in retaliation for rocket attacks launched from Lebanon into Israeli territory.
Hezbollah has denied involvement in the rocket attacks.
Ortagus warned that the continued exchange of fire is putting a fragile ceasefire at risk—one that ended a year-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
“It’s clear that Hezbollah has to be disarmed, and it’s clear that Israel is not going to accept terrorists shooting at them, into their country, and that’s a position we understand,” she said.
“We continue to press on this government to fully fulfill the cessation of hostilities, and that includes disarming Hezbollah and all militias,” Ortagus added.