Ortagus’ Visit: Lebanese Politicians Left Out
9/8/2025 6:59:00 AM
The participation of US envoy Morgan Ortagus in the meeting of the Ceasefire Monitoring Committee, the “mechanism,” carried clear messages.
The meeting was held two days after the government received the army’s plan to centralize weapons to the state’s authority, giving it the character of discussing implementation mechanisms. The committee’s task now lies in pressing for the army’s deployment south of the Litani River, withdrawing Hezbollah’s weapons, and dismantling its military infrastructure, despite the obstacle posed by Israel’s occupation of several positions in the south, which hinders the army’s full deployment, according to both Lebanese and French positions.
Ortagus’s visit, was limited to the south and the border, without meeting political officials for the first time. This was interpreted either as an American reproach to the government for failing to impose a timetable for disarmament, or as a sign of seriousness in activating the committee after the political decision had been taken. She will oversee the committee’s follow-up and the implementation of the government’s plan.
Diplomatic sources confirm that Washington will continue to press Lebanon to accelerate the disarmament process and not waste time, intensifying its follow-up until the end of September. The pressure will not be limited to the government but will extend to the army as well. Notably, this pressure is confined to Lebanon, while Israel refuses to make compromises.
According to reports, Israel is scaling up military exercises that simulate fighting in Lebanese villages, signaling readiness for possible ground operations.
As for Lebanon, the Lebanese Army will be required to submit monthly reports on the progress it makes in implementing the government-assigned task of confining weapons to the state.
The meeting was held two days after the government received the army’s plan to centralize weapons to the state’s authority, giving it the character of discussing implementation mechanisms. The committee’s task now lies in pressing for the army’s deployment south of the Litani River, withdrawing Hezbollah’s weapons, and dismantling its military infrastructure, despite the obstacle posed by Israel’s occupation of several positions in the south, which hinders the army’s full deployment, according to both Lebanese and French positions.
Ortagus’s visit, was limited to the south and the border, without meeting political officials for the first time. This was interpreted either as an American reproach to the government for failing to impose a timetable for disarmament, or as a sign of seriousness in activating the committee after the political decision had been taken. She will oversee the committee’s follow-up and the implementation of the government’s plan.
Diplomatic sources confirm that Washington will continue to press Lebanon to accelerate the disarmament process and not waste time, intensifying its follow-up until the end of September. The pressure will not be limited to the government but will extend to the army as well. Notably, this pressure is confined to Lebanon, while Israel refuses to make compromises.
According to reports, Israel is scaling up military exercises that simulate fighting in Lebanese villages, signaling readiness for possible ground operations.
As for Lebanon, the Lebanese Army will be required to submit monthly reports on the progress it makes in implementing the government-assigned task of confining weapons to the state.