Politics US envoy: No role for Hezbollah in Lebanon's government
Washington wants Hezbollah and its allies to play no role in Lebanon's new government. This was stated by the US deputy special envoy for the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, after a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
07.02.2025, 14:03
SDA
"We have drawn clear red lines in the US so that it will no longer be able to tyrannize the Lebanese people, including as part of the government," said Ortagus on the role of the Shiite militia.
It was thanks to Israel that Hezbollah had been defeated, Ortagus continued. She also thanked the designated Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who is striving to form a government without the participation of Hezbollah.
Hezbollah as a state within a state
Lebanon has suffered from political paralysis over the past two years and has been administered by an interim government. Recently, the feuding parties were able to agree on a head of state with President Joseph Aoun. The formation of a government is made more difficult by the fact that there are clear rules for the participation of the various religious groups in the country.
Political stability is urgently needed to tackle the country's economic and social problems. Before the recent war with Israel, Hezbollah, which is allied with Iran and acts as a state within a state, also played a dominant role.
Repeated Israeli air strikes
The implementation of the ceasefire agreements concluded in November is currently a long time coming. According to the agreement, Hezbollah is to leave its positions in the south of the country. The Lebanese army is to take control there.
However, Israeli forces are currently still stationed in the south of the country. In addition, there are repeated Israeli air strikes. Ortagus reiterated that the plans for an Israeli withdrawal from February 18 remain in place.
