US envoy denies meeting with Lebanese or Hezbollah officials
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Witkoff’s office categorically denied a report saying he met with Lebanese officials, calling it "baseless" and criticizing the spread of "rumors and fake news."
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Steve Witkoff, White House special envoy, speaks during a television interview outside the White House, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
The office of US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff dismissed reports of a meeting between Witkoff and a Lebanese official as "false and misleading," following claims published by Lebanon’s An-Nahar newspaper.
On Tuesday, An-Nahar quoted an unnamed Lebanese official, alleging that Witkoff had voiced Washington’s dissatisfaction with Lebanon’s handling of Hezbollah during a supposed meeting in Doha, Qatar.
In a statement on Wednesday, Witkoff’s office categorically denied the report, calling it "baseless" and criticizing the spread of "rumors and fake news."
"The baseless report by An-Nahar that Special Envoy Witkoff met with an unnamed Lebanese official in Doha is false and misleading. Peddling rumors and fake news only sows confusion and erodes the credibility of media outlets," the statement read.
US reaffirms support for Lebanese government
Witkoff’s office emphasized that Lebanon is a sovereign nation and that the US respects its independent decision-making.
"We trust this government’s ability to do so. The Trump Administration has made clear publicly and privately that the United States supports the Lebanese government," the statement added.
The US also reiterated its commitment to Lebanon’s efforts in extending state sovereignty and implementing reforms to strengthen its institutions.
US won't be able to curb Hezbollah
The deputy head of Hezbollah's Political Council, Mahmoud Qomati, said back in February that the policies of the United States "will neither be able to dictate its project and impose it on the region nor prevent Hezbollah from participating in the government."
Speaking to Al Mayadeen, Qomati pointed out that through her statements aimed at Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus, the US Deputy Envoy to the Middle East, "threatened and disrespected a large segment of the Lebanese people,” describing her remarks as “utmost insolence”.
In this context, he stressed that Ortagus "is putting on an empty show of strength."
The Hezbollah official also lauded the presidency’s statement following Ortagus' remarks straight from the presidential palace "that some of the comments” she made “express her point of view and do not concern the Lebanese Presidency” and said it is “appreciated, especially that it was said in the face of a state that considers itself to be dominating the world.”
