President Joseph Aoun emphasized during a meeting Tuesday with U.S. special envoy to Lebanon Morgan Ortagus “the need to activate” the work of the Committee for Monitoring the Cessation of Hostilities (‘the mechanism’), particularly regarding the cessation of Israeli violations against Lebanon.
Aoun also called for the implementation of Resolution 1701 and for the committee to take concrete steps to halt ongoing Israeli air raids on Lebanese territory “in order to enable the Lebanese Army to complete its deployment up to the southern international borders.”
He underlined as well “the necessity of allowing southern citizens to return to their homes and to repair those that were damaged, especially with the approach of the winter season.”
Informed sources described the talks as “positive and constructive,” denying reports that Washington had issued warnings to Lebanon about the possibility of a new war with Israel.
Earlier on Tuesday, Ortagus met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to discuss the broader situation in southern Lebanon and the activities of the five-member technical committee monitoring the ceasefire.
According to MTV, the U.S. envoy presented Berri with two potential paths forward, either direct negotiations with Israel or indirect talks through an expanded Mechanism Committee that could include civilian representation.
Ortagus also relayed unverified Israeli claims regarding alleged arms smuggling from Syria into Lebanon, clarifying that the U.S. administration had not confirmed the reports nor adopted the Israeli narrative.
Later, at the Grand Serail, Ortagus met Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who emphasized that effective arms control depends on providing swift and tangible support to the Lebanese Army.
In addition, President Aoun had separately held talks with Egyptian Intelligence Director Major General Hassan Mahmoud Rashad and Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheith. The talks with Rashad focused on enhancing security and military coordination between Beirut and Cairo. Aoun affirmed that Lebanon welcomes “any initiative aimed at halting Israeli attacks and restoring stability.”
In another meeting, Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheith said he was briefed by Aoun on his discussions with Ortagus, noting that he “sensed optimism about Lebanon’s direction and confidence in the path ahead.”
Meanwhile, diplomatic sources revealed that the scheduled visit of Saudi envoy Prince Yazid bin Farhan to Lebanon has been postponed a few days, after initially being expected to take place within hours.
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