Ortagus reportedly warns Lebanon that Trump's patience is not unlimited

Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus has advised Lebanese officials to speed up the implementation of what is required from Lebanon within a “reasonable timeframe,” in terms of removing Hezbollah weapons and the economic reforms, in order to “capitalize on the supportive U.S. momentum,” a media report published Wednesday said.

Quoted by the al-Modon news portal, Ortagus reportedly stated bluntly: "Take advantage of Trump's time before his patience runs out and you are left to your fate with Israel."

When she departed following her last visit, she was scheduled to return to Beirut early this month. However, the delay in the visit does not mean a lack of communication between her and Lebanese officials, al-Modon said.

Senior diplomatic sources confirmed to the news portal that “discussions are ongoing with her to address the situation in the south, and she continues to remind Lebanon of the need to complete the process of disarming Hezbollah, not only from south of the Litani River, but from all Lebanese territory.”

The sources added that Ortagus has repeatedly advised Lebanon to seize the opportunity and quickly disarm Hezbollah or Israel would continue its strikes without deterrence.

“During a lengthy meeting Ortagus held with a senior diplomat, which lasted more than two hours, she emphasized that Lebanese officials must take continuous steps to permanently disarm Hezbollah,” al-Modon said.

She noted that Lebanon “has an opportunity that must be seized, given the support of U.S. President Donald Trump, who still wants to help Lebanon.”

“However, his patience is not unlimited, and he may abandon this support if the required steps are not implemented and he would withdraw his hand from Lebanon,” Ortagus reportedly warned.

Ortagus meanwhile believes that while Lebanon has succeeded in eliminating “approximately 80% of Hezbollah's military stockpile,” the task has not been fully completed.