Lebanon is preparing to receive US envoy Morgan Ortagus on October 14, ahead of her participation in the third meeting of the Ceasefire Monitoring Committee scheduled for October 15, according to a diplomatic source speaking to MTV on Wednesday. The visit comes at a sensitive time, as both Washington and Beirut navigate the challenges of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and ensuring stability along Lebanon’s southern border.
The source told MTV that Ortagus is expected to bring with her responses from Israel on key points discussed in previous rounds of talks. These answers could help shape the next steps in the ongoing efforts to prevent an escalation between Lebanon and Israel.
The same source noted that US military assistance to the Lebanese Army, estimated at around $200 million, had recently been at risk. However, significant efforts were made in Washington to secure its continuation, with Ortagus playing a role in pushing the package back on track. This aid is considered vital for strengthening the army’s operational capacity and maintaining its credibility as the country’s primary defense institution.
American officials, the source added, are keen to highlight tangible progress on the ground. In particular, they would welcome public announcements of Lebanese Army operations not only south of the Litani River, in line with international commitments, but potentially north of it as well. Yet Lebanese authorities face complex political and security considerations that limit how far they can go in accommodating these expectations.
Comments