Trump's Envoy Reminds Lebanese Leaders Not To Intervene Hezbollah's New Government

Deputy special US envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus/screenshot via Instagram @morganortagus

JAKARTA - Presidential envoy Donald Trump will deliver a firm message to Lebanese leaders during his visit. The US will not tolerate the influence of Hezbollah and its uncontrolled allies on the formation of a new government.

Lebanon is reminded to face deeper isolation and economic collapse unless the country forms a government committed to reform, eradicating corruption and curbing Iran-backed Shiite groups.

The US delegation, led by Morgan Ortagus, the deputy special envoy for the Middle East, will meet Lebanese newly elected President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker of Parliament Lebanoon Nabih Berri.

Salam was assigned more than three weeks ago to form a government, where senior positions were traditionally divided among the Lebanese sectarian community based on the existing power-sharing system.

But the US is trying to curb Hezbollah's influence on the group, in an attempt to take advantage of the blow the group carried out in its war with Israel last year.

"It is important for us to determine what we believe will become a new Lebanon in the future," a senior US government official said, stressing Washington did not "choose" individual cabinet members but ensured Hezbollah had no part of the government.

"There was a war and Hezbollah was defeated and they must still be defeated," the official continued.

"You certainly don't want someone to be corrupt. This is a new day for Lebanon. Hezbollah has been defeated, and the new government must adapt to the new reality," he added.

Hezbollah and his Shia allies Amal led by the chairman of the old Lebanese parliament, Berri held a large number of seats in the Lebanese parliament consisting of 128 people, who needed to provide a vote of confidence in any new government.

Salam has allowed them to nominate four of the five Shia ministers in its new cabinet, including the important role of finance ministers. They insist on defending veto rights over who will be selected fifth, according to Lebanese political sources.

The dispute sparked speculation Salam will announce a new government on Thursday, just hours before Ortagus is scheduled to land in Lebanon.

The prime minister who was appointed out of the presidential palace without giving a statement to reporters.