Trump vows to help Lebanon pursue peace with Israel

During a meeting in Washington on Tuesday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun requested US political support and continued backing for the Lebanese army. President Donald Trump pledged to assist Lebanon significantly. Aoun's visit, the first by a Lebanese president to Washington since 2009, focused on securing US aid for a delicate initiative to disarm Hezbollah and pursue peace with Israel. The Lebanese army has begun deploying in southern regions as part of a US-backed agreement with Israel. President Aoun emphasized the critical importance of supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces, stating that their collapse would lead to broader instability.

During a White House meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to "help" Lebanon, but offered no specific timeline for an Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed his goal of ending the "state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel forever" and praised a U.S.-brokered framework agreement. Despite Trump's assurances, the article notes that Israel has not withdrawn from any occupied areas since March, and a newly announced "pilot zone" did not involve Israeli withdrawal. Trump also suggested Syria should intervene to disarm Hezbollah and stated he would be open to speaking with Hezbollah if President Aoun wished.

President Donald Trump announced he will allow U.S. airline carriers to resume direct flights to Lebanon, ending a suspension that began in 1985. This decision follows a White House meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, where Trump pledged significant assistance to Lebanon. The original suspension was implemented by the Reagan administration after the hijacking of TWA flight 847. Trump stated his intention to facilitate easier travel for Americans to visit Lebanon. During their meeting, Aoun sought to promote long-term calm amidst regional tensions, and Trump expressed a desire for Lebanon to be treated with respect.

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.