Lebanon’s president is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington to advocate for the withdrawal of Israeli troops. This meeting is part of ongoing U.S.-mediated discussions aimed at achieving lasting peace. Lebanon is seeking the departure of Israeli forces and military assistance to bolster its own control. The U.S. State Department has indicated that operations have commenced in three villages, and Washington remains committed to supporting the Lebanese agreement and its complete execution.
Beirut: Lebanon’s president is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, concluding a four-day visit to Washington. The objective of the visit is to foster long-term stability in the conflict-affected nation, following months of hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant organization.
President Joseph Aoun’s significant meeting with President Trump occurs as Lebanon and Israel continue their rare direct negotiations, facilitated by Washington. Lebanon’s expectation is that these talks will lead to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from substantial areas of southern Lebanon currently under their occupation. Furthermore, Lebanon seeks support for its military to establish full authority in regions previously controlled by Hezbollah fighters.
Lebanon and Israel announced a “framework agreement” on June 26, outlining a plan for Israeli forces to exit southern Lebanon and for Hezbollah to disarm. This agreement also sets forth steps toward a potential peace treaty between the two nations, which have never had formal diplomatic relations and have been in a state of nominal war for nearly eight decades since Israel’s founding.
The U.S. State Department announced on Monday that operations have begun in three villages designated as a “pilot zone,” though specific details were not provided. Two of these villages, Froun and Srifa, are not under Israeli military occupation and have a Lebanese army presence, while Israeli forces occupy a portion of Zawtar al-Gharbieh.
In a statement, the Lebanese army indicated it is preparing for an Israeli withdrawal from Zawtar al-Gharbieh and plans to deploy its forces in the area. The Israeli military stated it “will adjust its force posture in one of the pilot areas in order to enable the Lebanese Armed Forces to carry out their mission,” without specifying the exact location.
President Aoun met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, who affirmed that Washington will continue to endorse the Lebanese agreement and support its full implementation. Rubio characterized the meeting as “very positive” and emphasized that Lebanon cannot achieve complete peace as long as the Hezbollah issue remains unresolved.
“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,” Rubio stated following the meeting. Some in Lebanon express concern that a military confrontation with Hezbollah could trigger a civil war. Government officials have also called for investment in the nation’s damaged infrastructure to strengthen the weakened state, a sentiment echoed by Rubio.
“This is not just about military stuff,” he added. “This is about how can we attract more U.S. and international investment into Lebanon.”
Last week, the Lebanese military increased its presence in several areas slated for the pilot zone, including the three villages, with troops conducting patrols and establishing checkpoints. While recent discussions in Rome suggest the agreement’s implementation is imminent, Israeli troops have not yet withdrawn from the controlled territories.
Israeli officials, meanwhile, have indicated plans to maintain forces in a “security zone” in southern Lebanon on a long-term basis.
Hezbollah has expressed skepticism regarding the direct talks brokered by the United States, instead favoring Washington’s negotiations with their principal ally and sponsor, Iran, to end their conflict. This resolution would also include ending the war in Lebanon as a prerequisite for restoring calm.
Lebanon’s government, which assumed power in early 2025 on a reformist agenda, pledged to disarm all non-state groups, including Hezbollah. The government attributes Hezbollah’s actions to drawing the country into another war with Israel in March, following attacks by the militant group on northern Israel after actions by the U.S. and Israel against Iran.
However, Beirut’s leadership has voiced criticism of Israel’s subsequent ground offensive and extensive aerial campaign within the country, which resulted in over 4,000 fatalities and displaced 1.2 million people. While facing significant political opposition from Hezbollah and its allies within a deeply divided nation, Lebanon’s leadership maintains that an Israeli withdrawal and international financial aid for its financially strained army are essential for a durable security solution.
