Deputy United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus delivered a strong message on Thursday, declaring that the path to peace and prosperity lies in the full disarmament of Hezbollah, not just in southern Lebanon, but across the entire country.
In an interview with LBCI, Ortagus emphasized the unified stance of the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar on the issue. “We’ve been very clear with Lebanon,” she said. “The path forward is disarming Hezbollah, not just south of the Litani, but across the entire country.”
She underscored Washington’s commitment to working “closely” with its Gulf allies “every step of the way” to achieve what she called “the right outcome” for Lebanon.
Ortagus also highlighted ongoing US efforts to disrupt Hezbollah’s financial networks, citing close collaboration between the State and Treasury Departments to identify and sanction individuals involved in illicit funding of the pro-Iranian group.
“We are going after terrorist proxies throughout the Middle East,” she said. “We’ve exposed and sanctioned people who facilitate Hezbollah’s financing and that’s what we’re doing today.”
Earlier on Thursday, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against two senior Hezbollah officials and two financial operatives in Lebanon and Iran, accusing them of coordinating funding for what the US designates as terrorist activities.
Reflecting on Hezbollah’s role in regional instability, Ortagus said the group has repeatedly dragged Lebanon into conflict with Israel. “Over the last 20 years, Hezbollah has brought Lebanon to war with Israel twice,” she noted. “Every time it intervenes, it destroys the south and forces southerners into a war they don’t want.”
Looking ahead, Ortagus expressed a desire for deeper US engagement with Lebanon’s leadership to develop a new economic vision for the country. “This cannot be done unless the state and its armed forces control the weapons and defend themselves,” she stressed.
Ortagus also hinted at further sanctions targeting those who provide financial support to Hezbollah, stating, “You can expect more.”
Concluding the interview on a hopeful note, the envoy expressed her ongoing engagement with Lebanon, saying that she visits the country frequently and hopes to return soon. “I think the whole world wants to be in Beirut in the summer,” she disclosed.
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