A newly appointed U.S. envoy says she hopes Lebanese authorities are committed to making sure that the Hezbollah militant group isn't a part of the new government in any form

Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed militia, has long been the country’s dominant political force and has formed part of the government for decades.

Gaza Hezbollah's "reign of terror" is over and the militant group and political party should not be allowed to participate in Lebanon's government, a new US envoy said on Friday. Morgan Ortagus, deputy special presidential envoy for the Middle East,

Morgan Ortagus reaffirmed the Trump administration position that Hezbollah cannot be part of the next Lebanese government, even as Beirut warned that this could create a parliamentarian crisis.

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam meet at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, in this handout released on February 6, 2025. Lebanese Presidency Press Office/Handout via REUTERS

The United States has set a "red line" that Shi'ite armed group Hezbollah should not be a member of Lebanon's next government after itr military defeat by Israel last year, U.S deputy Middle East envoy Morgan Ortagus said in Lebanon on Friday.

Morgan Ortagus is heading a delegation and set to arrive in Lebanon on Thursday night, the first such visit by Trump administration officials.

The U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for Middle East Peace said repeatedly Friday that Hezbollah had been "militarily defeated" and that she hoped the Lebanese authorities were committed to ensuring the militant group doesn't form part of any new government.