U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus and Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad did not relay “direct threats” to Lebanese officials but rather “advices and veiled diplomatic warnings,” al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Rashad, who played a key role in reaching the Gaza truce, explained to President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and PM Nawaf Salam the efforts that have been exerted regarding Gaza, expressing Egyptian readiness to play an essential role in the Lebanese crisis, informed sources told the daily.