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Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed militia, has long been the country’s dominant political force and has formed part of the government for decades.
Feb. 7, 2025, 7:28 a.m. ET
A Trump administration envoy to the Middle East pressed Lebanon’s new leaders on Friday to ensure that Hezbollah does not become part of the government, as it grapples with a fragile cease-fire and violence that could undermine its push for stability.
The United States deputy envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, said at a news conference in Beirut after meeting Lebanon’s new president, Joseph Aoun, that Hezbollah had been “defeated” by Israel.
She added that the leadership of Lebanon was committed to ensuring that Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed militia, “is not a part of this government in any form.”
There was no immediate comment from Lebanese officials on her account. Lebanon’s new leaders will need to strike a balance with Hezbollah, which has long been the country’s dominant political force but has been battered by a 14-month war with Israel.
Washington has increased its pressure on Lebanon’s new leadership to try to undermine the group’s political stranglehold on the country.
Ms. Ortagus, a former State Department spokeswoman and the first senior U.S. official to visit Lebanon since Mr. Trump took office, also said that the Trump administration was placing pressure on Iran to stop funding its proxies in the Middle East, including Hezbollah.
