Ortagus to visit Lebanon with list of US conditions for full ceasefire, report says

Deputy U.S. Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus who is due to visit Lebanon next month will carry with her a list of U.S. conditions for Israel's complete withdrawal from south Lebanon and a halt of its attacks on the country, pro-Hezbollah al-Akhbar newspaper reported.

The daily said Wednesday that it has learned from prominent political sources that the U.S. has informed Lebanese officials that Ortagus will pressure Lebanon to consider joining peace accords with Israel as a pre-condition for a complete implementation of a ceasefire reached in late November.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to launch daily raids on Lebanon and is still occupying five hills in south Lebanon it deems "strategic." Israeli strikes on two different locations in south Lebanon killed two people Wednesday in Ain Baal and Yater.

Ortagus said Tuesday that Lebanon still has "more" to do in disarming Hezbollah not just south of the Litani, while President Joseph Aoun said Monday during a visit to Egypt that Lebanon is working to secure peace and end war without engaging in "direct talks" with Israel. He said Hezbollah has the right to participate in Lebanese politics but not to keep its arms.