Schenker to MTV: This Is What Ortagus Will Say, and Normalization Will Happen in Due Time!
David Schenker, former US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs, revealed that US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus will express surprise at the efforts of the Lebanese security forces but will stress that they must do more. He added, "It is also important for the Lebanese government to tell Ortagus that Saudi Arabia and Qatar should assist with funding the salaries of the security forces to enable them to carry out their work."
In an interview on MTV's It's About Time (Sar El Waet) program, Schenker explained that "the work must continue until Resolution 1559 is implemented across all of Lebanon, not just south of the Litani River. While the ceasefire has held despite the crisis, Lebanon must persist in its efforts to disarm Hezbollah." He emphasized that "peace is always beneficial, and Lebanon will gain from it, but other necessary steps must be taken before that."
Schenker further noted that "Lebanon and Israel must finalize their border demarcation and resolve the Shebaa Farms issue with Syria before talks on normalization can proceed." He added: "It is clear that a confrontation will be necessary to implement the agreement, but Lebanon must seize the opportunity to build a state, rather than remaining an Iranian militia. There is a clear difference between the US and France on Lebanon, as demonstrated by France's attempt to impose an economic rescue plan without the necessary reforms."
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