Report: Ortagus doesn't oppose Aoun-Hezbollah talks, may return soon

Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Morgan Ortagus expressed understanding of President Joseph Aoun’s desire to hold direct dialogue with Hezbollah over its weapons, official sources said.

“But she stressed that the factor of time does not allow for a lengthy dialogue at a time Lebanon is in a dire need for exiting its crises,” the sources added, in remarks to Asharq al-Awsat newspaper.

Ortagus also expressed her willingness to “visit Beirut for a third time, at the end of the current month or early next month, to follow up on what will be achieved in terms of financial reforms and limiting arms to the hands of the state,” the sources said.