Ortagus' visit at heart of meeting between President Joseph Aoun and Nabih Berri

President Joseph Aoun discussed with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri the results of the visit to Lebanon last weekend by American envoy Morgan Ortagus. The two leaders also talked about the situation in Lebanon and developments in the south.

While it initially appeared that she was visiting Beirut amid rising tensions with Israel to present the Lebanese with an ultimatum —particularly regarding Hezbollah’s weapons — Ortagus ultimately adopted a much more diplomatic tone. According to information obtained by L’Orient-Le Jour from several officials, the various meetings the diplomat attended over the weekend were positive, which was also reflected in the interview she gave on Sunday evening to LBCI.

"I have very good relations with President Joseph Aoun, as well as with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker [Nabih Berri],” she noted, even saying she was "impressed" by the caliber of the members of the Salam government.