Lebanon’s president meets with U.S. president to seek calm amid conflict
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun is set to conclude a four-day visit to Washington with a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, aiming to foster long-term stability in the war-affected country following months of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, reports BritPanorama.
Aoun’s landmark meeting with Trump comes during rare direct talks between Lebanon and Israel, mediated by Washington. The Lebanese government aspires to these discussions leading to the withdrawal of Israeli troops from significant portions of southern Lebanon and prioritizing support for the Lebanese military to regain control over areas historically dominated by Hezbollah.
A “framework agreement” was announced on June 26, outlining plans for Israeli forces’ withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah, which has maintained a strong presence in the region for decades. This agreement is a step towards an eventual peace accord between Lebanon and Israel, nations that have never established formal diplomatic relations and have been nominally at war since Israel’s inception nearly 80 years ago.
The U.S. State Department disclosed on Monday that operations in three Lebanese villages, regarded as part of a “pilot zone,” have commenced, though specifics remain undisclosed. Among these, Froun and Srifa are not under Israeli military supervision, whereas Israeli forces are present in a portion of Zawtar al-Gharbieh.
The Lebanese military revealed it is preparing for an Israeli withdrawal from Zawtar al-Gharbieh and plans to deploy troops in that region. The Israeli military asserted it would modify its force posture in the pilot area to facilitate the Lebanese Armed Forces’ mission, without clarifying the exact location of these adjustments.
During a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, Aoun discussed Washington’s commitment to endorsing the Lebanese agreement and its full execution. Rubio deemed the meeting “very positive,” yet cautioned that Lebanon would “never be fully at peace” unless the Hezbollah situation is addressed. He stated, “How do you replace Hezbollah? You defeat and replace them with a government that is strong enough to be the sole force of arms in the country.”
Concerns persist among skeptics in Lebanon regarding the potential for military confrontation with Hezbollah to incite civil unrest. As government officials underscore the need for investment in the country’s deteriorating infrastructure, Rubio echoed this sentiment by stating, “This is not just about military stuff. This is about how can we attract more U.S. and international investment into Lebanon.”
In recent weeks, the Lebanese military has bolstered its presence in areas projected to be included in the pilot zone, establishing patrols and checkpoints. Despite indications from discussions in Rome that the agreement’s implementation is imminent, Israeli forces have not yet retreated from their controlled areas.
Israeli officials have signaled intentions to maintain a long-term security zone in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah, however, has dismissed the U.S.-brokered dialogue, insisting on negotiations with their principal ally, Iran, to restore peace, with the resolution of the conflict in Lebanon being integral to the process.
In early 2025, Lebanon’s government emerged on a reform agenda, pledging to disarm all non-state armed factions, including Hezbollah, which they hold responsible for escalating tensions that led to further confrontations with Israel earlier this year. In March, the militant group launched several rockets at northern Israel following U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran.
Despite this, Lebanon’s leadership has criticized Israel’s extensive ground invasion and aerial bombardment campaign that resulted in over 4,000 fatalities and displaced 1.2 million individuals. As the government contends with significant political opposition from Hezbollah and various factions in the divided nation, it maintains that a withdrawal of Israeli forces and international assistance for Lebanon’s financially stricken military are vital for achieving sustainable security.
