Barack and Ortagus leave for Israel after Lebanon's visit

U.S. envoys Tom Barrack and Morgan Ortagus left Beirut for Tel Aviv to discuss what Israel is required to do after the Lebanese government’s unprecedented decisions on arms monopolization, diplomatic sources said.

In his meeting with Barrack, President Joseph Aoun “insisted on the need to reassure the Shiite community, especially after the political crisis caused by the government’s latest decisions” on Hezbollah’s disarmament, the sources told Al-Jadeed television.

“Barrack meanwhile appeared to have responded to Hezbollah’s concerns through clinging to the ceasefire and Israel’s withdrawal,” the sources said.

Speaker Nabih Berri for his part insisted in his meeting with Barrack on “guaranteeing that Israel will abide by the ceasefire and withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory, which was agreed to by Barrack,” the sources added.

“The army commander is meanwhile keen on the military institution and will not entangle it in political or sectarian crises, that’s why he is carefully finalizing the (disarmament) plan ahead of sending it to Cabinet, after which it will be implemented after winning political unanimity,” the sources said.