Hezbollah’s role in Lebanon’s gov’t a red line: US envoy

A senior U.S. official visiting Beirut said Friday that Hezbollah’s presence in Lebanon’s new government is a red line, calling the Iran-backed group “defeated” in its war with Israel.

The visit by U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus comes as prime minister-designate Nawaf Salam struggles to form a government amid political pressure from Hezbollah and its allies.

Lebanon is desperate for funds to rebuild after the conflict and a prolonged economic crisis.

“We have set clear red lines in the United States that they (Hezbollah) won’t be able to terrorise the Lebanese people, and that includes by being a part of the government,” Ortagus said after meeting President Joseph Aoun, long seen as Washington’s preferred candidate.

More than a year of hostilities has weakened Hezbollah, allowing Lebanon’s divided parliament to elect Aoun and approve Salam as premier after more than two years of political deadlock.

Israel has decimated much of Hezbollah’s leadership and capabilities, including its chief of more than three decades, Hassan Nasrallah. The ousting of Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad further disrupted the group’s arms supply line.

“Hezbollah was defeated by Israel and we are grateful to our ally Israel for defeating Hezbollah,” said Ortagus.

‘Reign of terror’

She was in Lebanon for her first official visit abroad after being appointed by US President Donald Trump.

“The end of Hezbollah’s reign of terror in Lebanon and around the world has started and it’s over,” said Ortagus.

She voiced hope the incoming government “will ensure that we start to end corruption, that we end influence from Hezbollah, and that we embark on the reforms for a greater country”.

The international community has long demanded reforms to unlock billions of dollars in aid after a financial crisis took hold in 2019, widely blamed on corruption and mismanagement.

Washington played a key role in brokering the November 27 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, ending more than a year of hostilities, including over two months of all-out war.

Under the deal, Lebanon’s military was to deploy in the south alongside UN peacekeepers as Israel withdrew over 60 days.

Hezbollah was also to pull back north of the Litani River — about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border — and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.

The withdrawal period was extended to February 18, after both sides accused each other of violations.

Ortagus said Washington was “very committed to that date.”