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U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus held high-level meetings in Beirut on Saturday to address growing concerns over Israel’s continued military presence in southern Lebanon and the fragile truce with Hezbollah.
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Ortagus met with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal during her second official visit to Lebanon since being appointed by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Nov. 27 cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah was intended to end more than a year of hostilities, including two months of full-scale conflict.
Israel has maintained forces at five locations it considers strategic, prompting concern in Beirut over sovereignty violations and the risk of renewed clashes.
In a televised interview with Al-Jadeed, Ortagus said the U.S. and France had formed working groups to address border disputes and Israel’s continued military presence.
“We want to get a political resolution, finally, to the border disputes. The people of southern Lebanon deserve security,” she stated.
During her February visit, Ortagus drew backlash from Hezbollah supporters after saying the group had been “defeated by Israel” and declaring “the end of Hezbollah’s reign of terror.” Despite military setbacks, Hezbollah remains a powerful political and military actor in Lebanon.
Israel continues to conduct airstrikes in Lebanese territory, citing the need to prevent Hezbollah’s military buildup.
The Lebanese Army, supported by U.S. military aid, is seen as a critical stabilizing force but has limited capacity to enforce U.N. resolutions independently.
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