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

President Donald Trump's envoy is set to deliver a firm message to Lebanese leaders during a visit on Thursday: the U.S. will not tolerate the unchecked influence of Hezbollah and its allies over the formation of a new government.

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

U.S. deputy special envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus gives a statement after a meeting with the Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon February 7, 2025. REUTERS/Emilie Madi BEIRUT (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,