US Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus affirmed that the Trump administration has a clear vision to support the Lebanese people – particularly in South Lebanon – and called for a decisive break from Iranian influence.
“Lebanon has a golden opportunity to emerge from its crisis,” Ortagus said in an interview with Sky News Arabia, aired on Wednesday. “But this requires rejecting any role for Iran and its allies.”
She stressed the importance of Lebanese leaders listening to the demands of their people and focusing on rebuilding trust in the state.
Reflecting on the needs of the region, Ortagus said, “Let’s think about how to rebuild southern Lebanon. Right now, there are massive reconstruction needs across the Middle East – in Syria, Gaza and southern Lebanon. It will take billions and billions of dollars to rebuild the region after years of war.”
She suggested a new strategy centered on the private sector and youth engagement: “I’m thinking about how we can do things differently, how we can involve young people in this process. I’d like to see the private sector in all our countries take a leading role, so that Lebanon doesn’t accumulate more World Bank debt. One possible idea is creating an industrial economic zone.”
According to Ortagus, rebuilding southern Lebanon must start with restoring trust in the state: “Citizens must feel like they are part of a unified nation, not just their villages. What I want for Lebanon is not for it to go begging for help, but to regain its position as a regional leader in finance, education and culture.”
She emphasized that the state must step up to provide basic services, with international partners helping the Lebanese government win back the hearts and minds of people in the south – so that they rely on the state, not outside actors, for their essential needs.
Ortagus also noted that Lebanon remains bound by UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah throughout the country. “The disarmament of Hezbollah is part of President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign on Iran,” she said. “We also expect urgent reforms from the Lebanese government – the administration’s patience is not unlimited.”
Moreover, she reiterated the need to sever ties with Iranian-backed groups, stating that “Lebanon must turn the page on Iranian influence. That’s the only way forward.”
Ortagus concluded by underlining the importance of maintaining the current ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, expressing hope for long-term stability: “Our hope is to preserve the ceasefire, contribute to the reconstruction of the south, and eventually reach a mutually accepted border agreement. That would be a major step toward resolving the ongoing tensions between Lebanon and Israel.”
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