Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday to discuss the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon following months of intense border conflict involving Hezbollah forces.
The White House summit marks the conclusion of President Joseph Aoun’s four-day diplomatic visit to the United States. It comes at a time when Lebanon and Israel are holding rare direct negotiations mediated by American officials.
Beirut is seeking a complete exit of Israeli military forces from occupied positions in southern Lebanon. The government also wants financial and material assistance to bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces so national soldiers can control areas once held by Hezbollah.
On 26 June, both nations announced a framework agreement backed by Washington. The plan outlines a step-by-step retreat by Israeli troops alongside the disarmament of Hezbollah units. The deal also sets out initial steps toward an eventual formal peace treaty between the neighbours, who have technically remained in a state of war since 1948.
The US State Department announced on Monday that early operations had started across three pilot villages, namely Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar al-Gharbieh. These settlements sit outside active Israeli military control, though neither side has offered detailed public comments on the groundwork they are laying there.
Ahead of his meeting with President Donald Trump, President Joseph Aoun held preliminary discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reconfirmed Washington’s commitment to the peace framework, describing the initial talks as constructive.
However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised that long-term stability would remain impossible until the government successfully addresses the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons.
He stated that the administration in Beirut must establish itself as the sole legitimate military power in the country, while adding that economic recovery and fresh foreign investment are equally vital for regional peace.
The Lebanese army has already begun strengthening its presence across designated pilot sectors, setting up road checkpoints and running regular patrols.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, Israeli forces remain stationed inside several sectors of southern Lebanon. Officials in Israel have indicated an intention to maintain a long-term presence along the border line.
Hezbollah leaders have publicly rejected direct talks mediated by Washington, expressing a preference for broader US-Iran negotiations to resolve Middle Eastern conflicts.
Lebanon's current reform-focused government has pledged to disarm all non-state groups within its borders, blaming Hezbollah for dragging the nation into open conflict after firing rockets into northern Israel following earlier American and Israeli strikes on Iran.
At the same time, Beirut officials have strongly criticised Israel's military campaign, which local authorities say has resulted in more than 4,000 deaths and displaced around 1.2 million people.
Lebanese authorities maintain that a full withdrawal of foreign troops and international backing for the national army are necessary to secure lasting peace across the region.
