According to U.S. officials, the communication from Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus to President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged for "accelerating the establishment of three task forces made up of both military officers and civilian experts" aimed at addressing unresolved matters with Israel.
"Some of these members could be retired brigadier generals who served as diplomats," the sources informed Al-Jadeed TV.
These task forces are focused on advancing discussions related to Israel’s withdrawal, delineating borders, and resolving the issue of captive returns," the sources further stated, emphasizing that "a postponement in establishing these task forces could hinder advancements in these matters.
The sources also mentioned that Ortags did not employ a strategy of exerting pressure in her plea for the creation of these working groups, which contradicts how certain high-ranking Lebanese political figures had understood the situation.
Al-Jadeed and other news organizations had reported that Lebanon’s officials were contacted via telephone by Ortagsu, who emphasized "the importance of establishing civil committees to engage in talks with Israel."
The reports indicated that Ortagsu cautioned that the U.S. might pull out of the ceasefire oversight panel and provide Israel unrestricted leeway if Lebanon does not adhere to the demand.
On March 11, Ortagsu declared that the U.S. would facilitate discussions bringing together Lebanon and Israel with the aim of diplomatically addressing various unresolved matters between the two nations.
Ortags mentioned that the topics to be addressed include "the liberation of Lebanese detainees, unresolved matters along the Blue Line, as well as the five additional areas where Israeli troops remain stationed."
"We eagerly anticipate swiftly assembling these diplomat-driven task forces to address remaining concerns alongside our global allies," she concluded.
During an interview with Al-Jadeed that same day, Ortagus stated: "Our aim is to achieve a political solution, at last, for the border disagreements."
"I am quite certain that... we can reach a definitive conclusion on the five points and eventually address the outstanding matters concerning the Blue Line," she said additionally.
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