Latest news with #MorganOrtagus
LBCI
12 hours ago
- Business
- LBCI
Amid Gaza war and Iran tensions, US Envoys to tour Israel's northern front
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Mariella Succar Amid rising conflict and the drumbeats of war on multiple fronts, U.S. envoy Thomas Barak and his deputy, Morgan Ortagus, are expected to arrive in Israel early next week, with northern border issues at the center of their visit. According to the itinerary, the two diplomats are scheduled to tour areas along the borders with Syria and Lebanon. On Wednesday, they are also expected to attend the meeting of the ceasefire monitoring committee with Lebanon in Naqoura, where Israeli officials are expected to reaffirm, according to military sources, the ongoing presence and operations of the Israeli army inside Lebanon for an indefinite period. Meanwhile, eyes are fixed on Washington as observers await a potential announcement from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a ceasefire in Gaza. In Israel, reports have emerged of closed-door discussions about a potential strike on Iran. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, currently in Washington, reportedly informed the U.S. administration that the emerging agreement does not meet Israel's security needs, asserting Israel's right to defend itself. Sources say the confidential discussions focused on the readiness of Israel's home front and a possible Iranian retaliation involving thousands of rockets launched without warning. Such a scenario could lead to a major military escalation, with rockets carrying warheads weighing up to 700 kilograms each. The leak of these deliberations by security critics highlights growing internal concerns. Analysts warn that such military actions could further destabilize the country, especially after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that fighting in Gaza would continue until a new deal is finalized—a move some security officials say could endanger hostages and derail ongoing negotiations. The leaked details dominated the Israeli political and security agenda, raising alarms not only over the potential physical toll of a wider conflict but also over its financial implications. Economic and security experts are warning that the combined costs of military operations across Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen could push Israel toward economic collapse. According to official data, the war in Gaza alone is costing Israel approximately $1.2 million per day. Intercepting each ballistic missile from Yemen with a single Arrow missile reportedly costs $3.5 million. Critics who describe the war as politically driven say that the total cost of the military campaign throughout 2024 has reached $40 billion. Experts caution that a strike on Iran, coupled with existing war expenses, could cause long-term damage to Israel's economy—damage from which recovery would take years.
LBCI
4 days ago
- Business
- LBCI
Morgan Ortagus set to return to Beirut: US pushes Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament and UNIFIL future
Report by Yazbek Wehbe, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Lebanese officials are preparing for the upcoming visit of Morgan Ortagus, U.S. Deputy Envoy to the Middle East, amid rising diplomatic pressure from Washington tied to Hezbollah's arms and the future of U.N. peacekeeping operations in Lebanon. According to informed political sources, Ortagus is expected to focus on three key issues: an expedited process to remove Hezbollah's weapons from areas north of the Litani River, a firm message that Israel will not withdraw from five occupied Lebanese positions without the creation of joint technical and military committees to address all 13 disputed border points, and opposition to renewing the UNIFIL mandate in its current form in August, which Israel deems ineffective. The U.S. reportedly supports an expanded and redefined mission for the U.N. peacekeeping force. In response, Lebanon's Foreign Ministry is preparing a formal position paper reaffirming its commitment to maintaining UNIFIL's current mandate without modification. France is said to be backing Lebanon's stance. Amid these developments, a notable meeting took place between President Joseph Aoun and a delegation from Hezbollah—the first since parliamentary consultations began. While not yet considered a formal political dialogue, observers view it as a sign of gradually deepening communication between the two sides through their advisers. During the talks, President Aoun reportedly pressed Hezbollah to take further steps toward demonstrating its willingness to place all arms under state authority, especially given the growing international pressure. In turn, Hezbollah questioned the guarantees it would receive should it relinquish its weapons, particularly if Israel were to continue its military operations and occupation and retain Lebanese prisoners. The group reportedly would be ready for such talks if Tel Aviv implements what it required of it. LBCI has learned that Hezbollah considers there to be 16 Lebanese individuals either missing or detained by Israel, whose fates remain unknown. This file appears to be partially shared with the Lebanese state, while a third party—possibly a Western country—is reportedly mediating between Hezbollah and Israel. The prisoner issue is further complicated by Israel's demand for the release of an Israeli researcher believed to be held in Iraq by an Iran-backed militia. That case is linked to the imprisonment of a member of Iran's Revolutionary Guard in Iraq, charged with killing an American citizen. Lebanon's leadership now finds itself caught between two difficult tracks: Washington's push for swift disarmament of Hezbollah and the group's demand for confidence-building steps before entering any substantial negotiations on the matter.
Ya Libnan
24-05-2025
- Business
- Ya Libnan
Lebanon must move quickly to disarm Hezbollah , Ortagus
In a statement to Al Jadeed TV , Deputy US Special Representative for the Middle East Policy Morgan Ortagus stated, 'Lebanon must move quickly toward the complete disarmament of Hezbollah, and there must be a monopoly on arms in the hands of the state alone.' She noted that 'economic and financial reforms are the only path to building a state, and their impact will reduce corruption and undermine Hezbollah's illicit funding sources.' She stated that 'Hezbollah's disarmament must occur soon, otherwise Lebanon risks being left behind.' She added, 'Take Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa as an example. He was able to move quickly, and today he is ready to rebuild Syria and open its markets to economic growth and lasting peace in the region.' In response to a question about her statements in Qatar regarding the International Monetary Fund, Ortagus said, 'My words were taken completely out of context. I never said that we were bypassing reforms. Quite the contrary. I affirm my support for the necessary reforms.' She stated that 'the United States remains steadfast in its position that Parliament must move quickly to pass a law restructuring the banking sector, and that the government must expedite the drafting of a law to bridge the financial gap,' considering that 'disarming the militias and passing reforms represent the key to any real investment in Lebanon.' El Nashra
LBCI
24-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
MP Ali Hassan Khalil responds to Morgan Ortagus: This is Lebanon's issue and that is their opinion
MP Ali Hassan Khalil emphasized the need for Israel to withdraw from occupied Lebanese territories and to halt its ongoing violations of Lebanese sovereignty. Speaking to LBCI, Khalil said the Lebanese state bears responsibility for raising its voice before the countries of the ceasefire committee. Responding to comments by U.S. Deputy Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus, who urged Lebanon to expedite the disarmament, he stated, "This is Lebanon's issue. That is their opinion, and we follow the will of the Lebanese people. The dialogue is internal and Lebanese." He also criticized the Lebanese government for failing to launch a reconstruction plan, stressing that the country cannot be stabilized without stability in the south, which he said is closely linked to rebuilding efforts.
LBCI
23-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
US envoy Morgan Ortagus to visit Lebanon in two weeks, sources say
U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus is scheduled to visit Lebanon in two weeks, sources told LBCI on Friday.
