Lebanon’s Joseph Aoun to meet Trump: What to expect

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington to seek American support for his agenda, which includes diplomacy with Israel and the disarmament of Hezbollah. Aoun met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing the need for an initial Israeli withdrawal from a pilot zone. Rubio stated that supporting the Lebanese government is the best way to counter Hezbollah and Iran. The core of Aoun's strategy is a trilateral framework between Lebanon, Israel, and the US, which proposes pilot zones in southern Lebanon where the Lebanese Armed Forces would deploy as Israel withdraws, contingent on Hezbollah's disarmament. This framework has faced significant criticism in Lebanon for potentially compromising sovereignty and making Israeli withdrawal conditional.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is in Washington D.C. for high-level meetings aimed at securing U.S. backing to end fighting between Israel and Hezbollah and achieve an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. He met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing the need to implement a U.S.-backed agreement signed in June, which includes an initial Israeli troop withdrawal. Rubio acknowledged Lebanon's efforts to reclaim sovereignty and disarm Hezbollah. President Aoun is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump on Tuesday, presenting a proposal for dismantling Hezbollah's arsenal in exchange for Israel's withdrawal. This visit, the first by a Lebanese head of state since 2009, occurs as Israeli troops remain in parts of southern Lebanon, displacing hundreds of thousands.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will visit the White House this week for his first meeting with US President Donald Trump. During the Tuesday meeting, Aoun plans to present a strategy to disarm the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and secure Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon. This visit marks the first time a Lebanese head of state has visited the White House in nearly 20 years. Aoun intends to request that Trump exert pressure on Israel to implement a US-brokered agreement from June 26. This agreement aims to disarm Hezbollah, facilitate a gradual Israeli troop withdrawal, and pave the way for peaceful relations between Lebanon and Israel. The meeting occurs as Israeli troops occupy southern Lebanon and many Lebanese remain displaced due to Israeli strikes.