Morgan Ortagus Responds to Hezbollah’s Stance on Disarmament

Background on Hezbollah’s Position

In recent discussions surrounding the disarmament of Hezbollah, the organization’s Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, made a firm declaration rejecting any attempts to strip the group of its weaponry. He stated, “We will not allow anystart to disarm the resistance. You must remove this idea from your lexicon. Disarming the resistance means serving the enemy. A civil war will not occur.” This assertive statement comes amid ongoing discourse regarding Hezbollah’s role and weaponry in Lebanon.

U.S. Response from Morgan Ortagus

In response to Qassem’s comments, Morgan Ortagus, deputy to U.S. envoy Steve Whitecoff, who is engaged in Lebanese affairs on behalf of the U.S. government, took to Twitter with a succinct expression of her thoughts, simply tweeting “Yawn.” Ortagus had previously stressed to Lebanon the importance of seizing the opportunity to implement security plans and comply with ceasefire agreement stipulations related to the regions north and south of the Litani River, alongside necessary economic reforms. Her message underscored the urgency for Lebanon to act, warning, “It may be too late to achieve the required progress.”

Joseph Aoun’s Vision for Lebanon

Amid these developments, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun provided insight into his vision for Lebanon’s future during an interview with Al-Arabiya. He expressed a goal of consolidating all arms within the Lebanese government by the end of 2025. Aoun addressed the sensitive issue of collecting weapons from Hezbollah, stating, “I aim for 2025 to be the year of weapon consolidation under state control.” He carefully avoided using the term “disarmament” in reference to Hezbollah, favoring instead a more neutral language around dialogue and cooperation.

Aoun emphasized that while he seeks to prevent Hezbollah from enhancing its military capabilities, he aims to do so without jeopardizing Lebanon’s fragile civil peace. He noted that he communicated to Ortagus his commitment to balancing the objective of disarming Hezbollah with the need to maintain order in the country. Furthermore, he urged the U.S. to press Israel to cease its attacks on Lebanon and end its occupation of Lebanese territories.

Conclusion

The ongoing conversations around Hezbollah’s armament and Lebanon’s security reflect the intricate balance of domestic and international pressures facing the Lebanese government. As President Aoun and U.S. officials navigate these complex issues, the future of Hezbollah’s weapons and the stability of Lebanon remain pivotal concerns. The international community anticipates that Lebanon will begin to act on its commitments regarding both security and economy in the coming weeks