Latest news with #Ortagus
Nahar Net
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Berri 'certain', '200% sure' Hezbollah won't join Iran war
by Naharnet Newsdesk 5 hours Hezbollah will certainly not join the Israel-Iran war, the group's ally Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has reportedly told his visitors. Berri's visitors told al-Jadeed, in remarks published Friday, that the speaker is "certain" that Lebanon will not join the war. On Thursday, Berri said Lebanon will "200 percent" not enter the war. "It has no interest in that and would pay the price if it did," he said, adding that Iran "does not need us." A Lebanese government source also told al-Jadeed Thursday that Hezbollah will not join the fray after an Iranian official told al-Jazeera that Hezbollah would act if the United States intervened to back up its ally Israel. - Hezbollah chief says group will 'act as we see fit'- Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Thursday that the group would "act as we see fit" in response to the ongoing war between Iran and Israel. In a statement, Qassem said Hezbollah was "not neutral" in the conflict between the two regional superpowers, saying that the group would "act as we see fit in the face of this brutal Israeli-American aggression". Berri said Qassem's remarks are only aimed at showing "solidarity" with Iran and certainly do not mean that Hezbollah will join the war. Earlier this week, Hezbollah political bureau member Mahmoud Qmati denied that Hezbollah would get involved and said that "Iran is strong enough and does not need military support from anyone". - Hezbollah has not fired a single rocket - U.S. special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack on Thursday warned Hezbollah against getting involved in the war between Iran and Israel, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the entire "Shiite axis" is not responding to Israeli attacks on Iran and that "Hezbollah has not fired a single rocket". Caroline Rose, a director at the Washington-based New Lines Institute think tank said that "Iran-backed proxies across the region — particularly Hezbollah— just do not have the capacity" to enter the fray. But Israel could still target them, she said. - Barrack vs Ortagus - Berri, who met Barrack Thursday, said the meeting was "excellent" and lauded the Lebanese-American diplomat for his tact and savoir-faire, which could be a hint that U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus was not as tactful. Berri had said after reports that Ortagus would be replaced that Israel's discontent about her replacement is "pleasing to the heart" and more than enough reason for him to be pleased by it. In her first visit to war-hit Lebanon in February, Ortagus voiced from the presidential palace in Baabda pro-Israel statements. "We are grateful to our ally Israel for defeating Hezbollah," Ortagus said. Al-Akhbar newspaper claimed that President Joseph Aoun later expressed to U.S. officials "his unease" over Ortagus' approach. The Presidency's press office announced that "what Ortagus said from Baabda reflects her viewpoint and the Presidency is not concerned with it." Later on the X platform, Ortagus mocked Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem with a "Yawn" as she reposted some of his words and insulted former PSP leader Walid Jumblat. "Crack is whack, Walid," Ortagus wrote after Jumblat described her conditions as "unrealistic." Ortagus has said that the United States has set a "red line" that Hezbollah should not be a member of Lebanon's next government and demanded that Hezbollah be disarmed. Despite Ortagus' words, Hezbollah took part in Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government. Barrack is of Lebanese origins and is also the U.S. ambassador to Turkey. He has said that he will temporarily replace Ortagus as Washington's special envoy to Lebanon. During his first official visit to Lebanon on Thursday he met with Aoun, Salam and Berri. Ortagus on the other hand, an American diplomat, intelligence analyst, political advisor, naval officer, and former television commentator, has converted to Judaism and is a strong supporter of Israel.
Nahar Net
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Berri 'certain' '200 percent' sure Hezbollah won't join Iran war
by Naharnet Newsdesk 20 June 2025, 12:39 Hezbollah will certainly not join the Israel-Iran war, the group's ally Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has reportedly told his visitors. Berri's visitors told al-Jadeed, in remarks published Friday, that the speaker is "certain" that Lebanon will not join the war. On Thursday, Berri said Lebanon will "200 percent" not enter the war. "It has no interest in that and would pay the price if it did," he said, adding that Iran "does not need us." A Lebanese government source also told al-Jadeed Thursday that Hezbollah will not join the fray after an Iranian official told al-Jazeera that Hezbollah would act if the United States intervened to back up its ally Israel. - Hezbollah chief says group will 'act as we see fit'- Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Thursday that the group would "act as we see fit" in response to the ongoing war between Iran and Israel. In a statement, Qassem said Hezbollah was "not neutral" in the conflict between the two regional superpowers, saying that the group would "act as we see fit in the face of this brutal Israeli-American aggression". Berri said Qassem's remarks are only aimed at showing "solidarity" with Iran and certainly do not mean that Hezbollah will join the war. Earlier this week, Hezbollah political bureau member Mahmoud Qmati denied that Hezbollah would get involved and said that "Iran is strong enough and does not need military support from anyone". - Hezbollah has not fired a single rocket - U.S. special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack on Thursday warned Hezbollah against getting involved in the war between Iran and Israel, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the entire "Shiite axis" is not responding to Israeli attacks on Iran and that "Hezbollah has not fired a single rocket". Caroline Rose, a director at the Washington-based New Lines Institute think tank said that "Iran-backed proxies across the region — particularly Hezbollah— just do not have the capacity" to enter the fray. But Israel could still target them, she said. - Barrack vs Ortagus - Berri, who met Barrack Thursday, said the meeting was "excellent" and lauded the Lebanese-American diplomat for his tact and savoir-faire, which could be a hint that U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus was not as tactful. Berri had said after reports that Ortagus would be replaced that Israel's discontent about her replacement is "pleasing to the heart" and more than enough reason for him to be pleased by it. In her first visit to war-hit Lebanon in February, Ortagus voiced from the presidential palace in Baabda pro-Israel statements. "We are grateful to our ally Israel for defeating Hezbollah," Ortagus said. Al-Akhbar newspaper claimed that President Joseph Aoun later expressed to U.S. officials "his unease" over Ortagus' approach. The Presidency's press office announced that "what Ortagus said from Baabda reflects her viewpoint and the Presidency is not concerned with it." Later on the X platform, Ortagus mocked Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem with a "Yawn" as she reposted some of his words and insulted former PSP leader Walid Jumblat. "Crack is whack, Walid," Ortagus wrote after Jumblat described her conditions as "unrealistic." Ortagus has said that the United States has set a "red line" that Hezbollah should not be a member of Lebanon's next government and demanded that Hezbollah be disarmed. Despite Ortagus' words, Hezbollah took part in Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government. Barrack is of Lebanese origins and is also the U.S. ambassador to Turkey. He has said that he will temporarily replace Ortagus as Washington's special envoy to Lebanon. During his first official visit to Lebanon on Thursday he met with Aoun, Salam and Berri.
Nahar Net
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
US envoy to Syria Barrack to visit Lebanon, report says
by Naharnet Newsdesk 7 hours U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack will soon visit Beirut to meet with Lebanese officials, local media reports said. U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus is reportedly leaving her position and her replacement has not yet been announced. In her first visit to war-hit Lebanon in February, Ortagus voiced from the presidential palace in Baabda pro-Israel statements. "We are grateful to our ally Israel for defeating Hezbollah," Ortagus said, adding that the United States has set a "red line" that Hezbollah should not be a member of Lebanon's next government. U.S. journalist Laura Loomer said in a post on X that Ortagus "will be cordially reassigned to another role in the Trump administration." "She wanted to be the Special Envoy to Syria, but the position was instead given to Tom Barrack," Loomer added.
Nahar Net
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
US envoy to Syria Barrack to visit Lebanon, report says
by Naharnet Newsdesk 10 June 2025, 13:56 U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack will soon visit Beirut to meet with Lebanese officials, local media reports said. U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus is reportedly leaving her position and her replacement has not yet been announced. In her first visit to war-hit Lebanon in February, Ortagus voiced from the presidential palace in Baabda pro-Israel statements. "We are grateful to our ally Israel for defeating Hezbollah," Ortagus said, adding that the United States has set a "red line" that Hezbollah should not be a member of Lebanon's next government. U.S. journalist Laura Loomer said in a post on X that Ortagus "will be cordially reassigned to another role in the Trump administration." "She wanted to be the Special Envoy to Syria, but the position was instead given to Tom Barrack," Loomer added.
Nahar Net
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Ortagus to make her last visit to Beirut before being replaced
by Naharnet Newsdesk 02 June 2025, 13:02 U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus is expected to visit Lebanon at the end of this week, in a visit that might be her last before she moves to another post in the U.S. administration, media reports said. 'Any replacement will be certainly better than her regarding the Lebanese file, after she showed harsh diplomacy in dealing with it,' diplomatic sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published Monday. The Nidaa al-Watan newspaper meanwhile quoted diplomatic sources as saying that Ortagus' replacement is 'not imminent.' 'The U.S. diplomat is active on the level of the Lebanese file and diplomatic circles do not have the impression that she is preparing files for her successor,' the sources said. The daily added that Ortagus will 'insist on getting clear answers regarding the issue of Hezbollah's arms and wants the answers to include a timetable for arms handover.' The newspaper also said that Ortagus' visit to Lebanon could be her last visit to the country and that her replacement 'took place due to matters related to the U.S. administration and not to the Lebanese file.' U.S. journalist Laura Loomer said in a post on X that Ortagus 'will be cordially reassigned to another role in the Trump administration.' 'She wanted to be the Special Envoy to Syria, but the position was instead given to Tom Barrack,' Loomer added. 'Morgan's replacement will be announced this week by (U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East) Steve Witkoff, according to White House sources,' she said. Ortagus had been named as Amos Hochstein's successor as the request of some Republicans, although U.S. President Donald Trump was not enthusiastic about her appointment. "Early on Morgan fought me for three years, but hopefully has learned her lesson," Trump wrote at the time. Ortagus is close to many senior Republicans like Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Senator Lindsey Graham, former national security adviser Mike Waltz and Trump's envoy for special missions, Ric Grenell. She also worked closely with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner during Trump's first term in office, and they remain close. During the Republican presidential primary before the 2016 elections, Ortagus criticized Trump's "isolationist" foreign policy and his personal behavior. After noting that past criticism, Trump said he decided to appoint Ortagus regardless of their differences because "she has strong Republican support." "I'm not doing this for me, I'm doing it for them. Let's see what happens," he added in January. In Israel, a Channel 14 journalist said Ortagus' departure would not be in Israel's favor, seeing as she is an avid supporter of Israel and has 'firmly worked on the file of disarming Hezbollah.' Al-Akhbar newspaper meanwhile noted that Ortagus has 'a very bad relation with Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal' and that President Joseph Aoun had expressed to U.S. officials 'his unease over her approach and her way in talking to officials.' 'She later criticized a large number of politicians, including a clear insult to ex-MP Walid Jumblat which embarrassed the majority of the friends of the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon,' the daily added. Sources close to Aoun meanwhile told al-Akhbar that Ortagus' replacement could be Joel Rayburn, an anti-Iran hawk and one of the most prominent U.S. officials who followed up on the Syrian file throughout the past decade.
