Berri says Barrack and Ortagus 'brought nothing from Israel'

Speaker Nabih Berri on Wedneday expressed frustration and said U.S. envoys Tom Barrack and Morgan Ortagus "brought nothing from Israel" and "came with something contrary to what they had promised us."
“Things have once again become complicated,” Berri said in an interview with Asharq al-Awsat newspaper.
Noting that things are “not easy,” the Speaker said “any matter that leads to dispute in the country is condemned,” when asked about the September 2 cabinet session that will discuss the Lebanese Army’s plan for Hezbollah’s disarmament.
Ortagus said on Tuesday that Lebanese authorities must execute their decision to disarm Hezbollah, adding that Israel would respond in kind to any government steps.
"We're all greatly encouraged by the historic decision of the government a few weeks ago, but now it's not about words, now it's about action," Ortagus told journalists at Lebanon's presidential palace in Baabda.
On Monday, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a phased pullout of troops from Lebanon if Beirut implements its decision to disarm Hezbollah -- part of a November ceasefire agreement brokered by Washington.
Ortagus said that Israel was "willing to go step by step, it might be small steps... but they're willing to go step by step with this government."
Barrack, who was also part of the visiting delegation, said that when the Israelis see action from Lebanon, "they will give their counterproposal" on troop withdrawal and security arrangements.
The Lebanese government's decision to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year was made under heavy U.S. pressure and amid fears of expanded military action by Israel, which has continued to carry out attacks in Lebanon despite the November ceasefire.