What did Ortagus and Rashad discuss with Lebanese leaders?

U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus and Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad did not relay “direct threats” to Lebanese officials but rather “advices and veiled diplomatic warnings,” al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Rashad, who played a key role in reaching the Gaza truce, explained to President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and PM Nawaf Salam the efforts that have been exerted regarding Gaza, expressing Egyptian readiness to play an essential role in the Lebanese crisis, informed sources told the daily.

Rashad emphasized that “Egypt can help due to its regional and international relations and that Lebanon must cooperate because that is the only solution to avoid a worse situation,” the sources said.

Baabda sources also confirmed that Rashad did not carry any threatening message but rather advices.

As for Ortagus, informed sources told al-Akhbar that her meeting with Aoun was not negative or tense although she “frankly spoke about the need for the army to double its efforts to continue implementing the plan that was approved by the government.”

Echoing Rashad’s remarks that the Gaza agreement has created a positive atmosphere in the region, Ortagus reportedly said that there is a chance to consolidate calm in Lebanon should the coordination mechanisms be improved.

“In this regard, she proposed activating the work of the Mechanism committee and expanding its jurisdiction to involve the whole of the Lebanese border, not only the South, in addition to involving diplomats in its membership,” the sources said.

The meeting with Berri was meanwhile calm and did not witness any intimidation or threats of war, al-Akhbar said.

“Ortagus tackled the issue of arms smuggling from Syria in it, stressing the need to control the border,” the daily said, adding that the U.S. envoy also told Salam that “Hezbollah is rebuilding its strength” and that “the United States and Israel have information that confirm that.”

“This requires the government not to be slow in the implementation of its plan,” Ortagus reportedly added. She also underscored the need to negotiate with Israel in light of the situation in the region.