Israel's Channel 14: US envoy Morgan Ortagus to step down soon
Morgan Ortagus, deputy to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump administration official overseeing the Lebanon file is expected to leave her post soon, according to Israel's Channel 14.
The outlet described her departure as "not good news for Israel," citing her support for efforts to disarm Hezbollah.
Investigative journalist Laura Loomer also reported that Ortagus will step down and that her replacement will be announced this week, citing White House sources.
"I'm told she will be cordially reassigned to another role in the Trump administration. She wanted to be the Special Envoy to Syria, but the position was instead given to Tom Barrack," Loomer noted.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LBCI
9 hours ago
- LBCI
Trump says attack on Israeli hostage protest 'will not be tolerated'
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday condemned an incendiary device attack on a rally in support of Israeli hostages in Colorado, while blaming the incident on predecessor Joe Biden's immigration policies. "Yesterday's horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America," Trump said on his Truth Social network, describing it as a "terrible tragedy." Trump also used the incident to push his administration's anti-immigration stance, saying suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman had entered the United States through Biden's "ridiculous Open Border Policy." AFP
LBCI
9 hours ago
- LBCI
Ortagus' departure sparks a flashback to the 90s: Will Lebanon's file be handed to Syria again?
Report by Toni Mrad, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Uncertainty surrounds the potential departure of Morgan Ortagus from her current role, with no clear successor identified so far. Despite circulating local reports suggesting a farewell visit to Beirut, sources say her team has made no official request for meetings with Lebanese officials. Whether Ortagus remains in office or steps down, her future is being watched closely against the backdrop of rapidly evolving dynamics in Syria, which is increasingly re-engaging with the international community, including Gulf states. In contrast, Lebanon's slow progress in fulfilling reform commitments and rebuilding trust with those same countries has raised concern in Washington. Observers in the U.S. fear a potential repeat of history, recalling a period when Lebanon, failing to assert its weight on the diplomatic stage, was effectively sidelined and handed over to Syrian influence. Those fears are heightened by Lebanon's continued paralysis over the issue of Hezbollah's weapons and unconfirmed reports suggesting that Tom Barrack, the U.S. special envoy for Syria, may hold talks in Lebanon. Will the Lebanese file once again be folded into Syria's—reminiscent of the Syrian tutelage that lasted from 1976 to 2005? During the peak of that era, particularly in the 1990s, Syria exercised complete control over Lebanon's state institutions, from selecting presidents and overseeing security services to silencing political and media opposition and even shaping Lebanon's economic direction. In practice, Syria held ultimate authority over Lebanese affairs. Official Lebanese sources told LBCI they are aware of such speculation but firmly reject the notion of any new form of foreign tutelage. "The era of external guardianship is over," one source said, insisting that the government remains committed to a full path of reforms to preserve Lebanon's sovereignty. However, in Washington and Riyadh, that speech has grown familiar—too familiar. It is no longer seen as a credible safeguard against renewed foreign influence.
LBCI
9 hours ago
- LBCI
MP Raad responds to PM Salam's remarks: We will share our view soon
The head of Hezbollah's Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, MP Mohammad Raad, responded to a statement made by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam from Ain el-Tineh, expressing appreciation for Salam's tone and signaling an upcoming discussion. "Thank you for the goodwill of the Prime Minister. We will meet him soon and share our opinion on what we believe serves the interest of our people and our country," Raad said.
