Ortagus says Hezbollah 'cancer', hopes Lebanese would 'cut it out'

Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Morgan Ortagus dubbed Tuesday Hezbollah a "cancer," after she ended a diplomatic visit to Lebanon where she met with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

"The past ten years have been devastating for Lebanon, the financial crisis, the port explosion, and militias around the country, especially Hezbollah who has a state within a state," Ortagus said in an interview with al-Arabiya, blaming the Lebanese group and Iran for a devastating war with Israel with "catastrophic consequences."

Ortagus said the people of the south who lost their homes were forced into a war that no one wanted to be in. "These people deserve a lot better. I hope they will make the choice to cast off people who only want war with their neighbors and instead to turn to a brighter future."

The U.S. diplomat went on to say that Hezbollah is "a designated terrorist organization with a lot of American blood on their hands" and that "when you have cancer, you don't treat part of the cancer in your body and let the rest of it grow faster. If you have cancer, you cut the cancer out," as she called for change in Lebanon and for the disarmament of Hezbollah.

"We are asking, demanding and hoping for generational change in Lebanon and if they don't do it they won't save their country. I think President Aoun can do it, I think Nawaf Salam can do it."

She added that the U.S. has provided support for decades for the Lebanese Army. "The Lebanese army has the capability (to protect Lebanon). They just need the political will."

As for her meetings in Lebanon, Ortagus described the new Lebanese cabinet as "excellent" with no "party affiliations" and said she was encouraged by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam who "really care about reforms" but said the financial situation in Lebanon is "as bad as it gets."