Amid media speculation about the relationship between U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus and Lebanese banker Antoun Sehnaoui, informed sources told Annahar that the relationship is not secret. They confirmed that Ortagus has officially reported it to her administration in accordance with standard U.S. protocols, ruling out any conflict of interest and dismissing rumors that she has been removed from the Lebanese file.

According to sources, the relationship began after Ortagus’s separation from her husband and has been conducted with complete transparency. They suggest that talk of a “secret relationship” or a “hidden file” is driven more by political and media speculation than by any new or substantive facts.

According to these sources, the attention on the American envoy’s private life masks an “attempt to undermine her political role” and diverts attention from Sehnaoui’s active participation in shaping a “political approach that promotes peace, prosperity, and stability.”

Sehnaoui is known to speak openly about his international relations, including with Zionist and Jewish communities, reflecting his commitment to the pursuit of peace. He supported the Abraham Accords across all religious communities and has actively backed U.S.-Israeli Opera project, according to Washington Jewish Week, viewing arts initiatives as a way to strengthen international connections.

Antoun Sahnawi

Sehnaoui was raised in Beirut before moving to the United States to study business administration and banking at the University of Southern California.

He serves as chairman of the board of SGBL, a bank that manages billions of dollars in assets and has expanded its operations across multiple continents. In addition, he is a prominent film producer and publishing magnate, actively involved in humanitarian, social, and cultural initiatives both in Lebanon and internationally.

Antoun Sahnawi and Patriarch Rai

According to sources cited by the British "Daily Mail," Sehnaoui is known in American and international circles as a “declared Zionist,” actively involved in cultural, artistic, and political initiatives that promote peace and dialogue. This includes his sponsorship of joint American-Israeli projects and his support for initiatives aimed at fostering cross-cultural understanding.

A receipt from Tiffany & Co., allegedly showing both Sehnaoui’s and Ortagus’s names, has circulated in the media. The "Daily Mail" cited sources confirming that the two did visit the store together but cautioned that the circulated receipt could be forged or manipulated as part of a misinformation campaign.

At the same time, sources from Annahar denied rumors that Ortagus had been removed from the Lebanese file, confirming that the matter is currently being managed jointly by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa and envoy Morgan Ortagus, following a transparent and coordinated American approach.