US special envoys Tom Barrack and Morgan Ortagus are set to arrive to Beirut on Monday, accompanied by Senior Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, according to Israeli media – i24 and the Jerusalem Post. The visit carries significant weight: “Graham serves as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, giving the trip both political and economic importance”. Observers say the main objective is to send a direct message to the Lebanese people that any international assistance will be contingent on concrete steps regarding the dismantling of Hezbollah.
Prior to their departure for Lebanon, Barrack and Ortagus held a series of political meetings in Israel on Sunday focused on regional tensions. According to Axios, they met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convey Washington’s request that Israel scale back its strikes in Lebanon. They also met with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and Defense Minister Israel Katz. US Ambassador Mike Huckabee attended the meetings as well.
Discussions focused on US efforts to establish new security arrangements between Israel and Lebanon, as well as between Israel and Syria. Washington described the initiative as an initial step toward potential long-term normalization. US officials noted that, with the war in Gaza ongoing, Israel has a strong interest in easing tensions along its northern border and seeking new agreements with both Lebanon and Syria.
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