The new U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa Johnson, arrives in Beirut today and assumes her position amid anticipated developments in the region and their repercussions on Lebanon, especially in the field of future dealings with the Hezb in light of the shift in its approach to international demands from it the day after the Gaza war. She also takes office amid the fact that the file of the presidency of Lebanon does not seem to be a local or foreign priority at the present time.

According to the An-Nahar newspaper, the performance of any ambassador in Beirut will be a translation of the balance in the distribution of roles that the U.S. administration carries out among U.S. officials regarding the handling of Lebanese and regional affairs.

The newspaper pointed out that the new U.S. ambassador will formulate her country's policy towards Lebanon, which has become more linked to its policy towards the region than ever before, and that she will begin to focus in her meetings with Lebanese officials and political leaders on five main topics:

First: Reaffirming the protection of Lebanon from any war that may break out in conjunction with the Israeli war on Gaza. The U.S. priority towards Lebanon currently is to prevent this war from expanding to include Lebanon, so the U.S. administration is doing its utmost to maintain calm where its interest lies in its continuity. This endeavor is carried by the ambassador, in addition to the American mediator Amos Hochstein, where the work is to control the situation and not extend it to Lebanon.

Second: Emphasizing UNSC Resolution 1701 and its implementation. The new American ambassador will carry an American commitment to this decision, which the Biden administration considers there is no alternative or way out of it.

Third: American efforts have succeeded in dissuading Lebanon from escalating the situation regarding Israel's assassination of the deputy head of "Hamas", Saleh al-Arouri, as it was informed that Washington was not aware of the operation. As for her, she did not target any Lebanese, not even the Hezb, and it should be put in its narrow framework only, i.e., the framework of the Israeli war on Gaza and the assassination of one of the leaders of "Hamas", which does not require a Lebanese reaction about the violation of sovereignty as Lebanon is not targeted in all its components.

Fourth: The new U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon will convey messages indicating that supporting the army is an American priority. With reference to the fact that some parties within Congress believe that supporting it does not lead to any result because of the Hezb's weapon. While other parties support Washington's continued support for the army to avoid the repercussions of weakening it at all levels, and fearing that the military may resort to joining under the banner of militias, and it is certain that support for the army will not stop.

Fifth: She will emphasize the necessity of having a president of the republic as soon as possible, an effective government, and serious cooperation with the International Monetary Fund to solve Lebanon's economic problems.