Lebanon draws US, Arab envoys as Israel tensions spike
Intense international and regional diplomatic efforts are underway in Lebanon to accelerate Hezbollah’s disarmament and ease tensions between Israel and Lebanon amid rising fears of renewed war.
BEIRUT — US and regional diplomats flocked to Lebanon Monday as tensions between Lebanon and Israel reached their highest level since a US-brokered ceasefire ended the 13-month war with Hezbollah last November.
Deputy US special envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus arrived in Lebanon Monday, in the latest bid by Washington to press for the speedy disarmament of Hezbollah and calm the security situation between Israel and Lebanon amid growing concerns of a renewed war.
Ortagus is scheduled to meet with President Joseph Aoun, according to several local reports. She is also set to preside over a meeting of the US-led committee tasked with monitoring the November 2024 ceasefire.
Ahead of her visit to Beirut, Ortagus stopped in Israel Sunday where she met with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. The pair, accompanied by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Israeli army and US CENTCOM officers, toured the border area with Lebanon and were briefed on Hezbollah’s efforts to rebuild its military infrastructure, according to a statement from Katz’s office.
