Beirut, Lebanon, July 7 (ANI): Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is preparing to travel to the White House before the end of July to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in a visit aimed at advancing the framework agreement with Israel signed on June 26, according to Al Jazeera.
The visit follows a 17-minute phone call between the two leaders on July 5 that Aoun described as “good.”
In an interview with the Lebanese daily An-Nahar, cited by Al Jazeera, Aoun acknowledged that the framework agreement is “not ideal,” but said the Lebanese government’s acceptance of it reflects the realities on the ground and the current balance of power in southern Lebanon, which he said favors Israel.
“This is a framework, not an agreement with Israel… No one should bet on the Lebanese army’s division, and I will not let my people die,” Aoun said, adding that the deal would not prevent Lebanon from pursuing its rights and seeking the return of occupied territory.
According to Al Jazeera, Aoun also said the phased security transition would begin with a pilot deployment in Zawtar in the Nabatieh district, testing a model under which the Lebanese army assumes exclusive control of specific towns to facilitate gradual Israeli military withdrawals. The remarks come amid concerns that Israel could strike the nearby Ali Al-Taher Hill.
Aoun said Lebanese officials had asked U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure the hill remains under Lebanese army control and that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to the proposal.
He also defended Lebanon’s decision to send a minister to the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying, “Our diplomatic relations with Iran continue and are not severed.”
Earlier, on July 4, President Aoun called on the United States to “continue to stand firmly” with Lebanon’s “just and legitimate causes,” expressing hope for greater stability and security in the Middle East amid ongoing regional tensions.
In a post on X, the Lebanese presidency said Aoun sent a congratulatory message to President Trump on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, extending his wishes for continued success, prosperity, and progress.
The presidency said Aoun praised Trump’s efforts to promote stability in the Middle East and urged continued U.S. support in helping the region “turn the page” on war, tragedy, and suffering.
“President Aoun said in his cable: ‘There is no doubt that the history of the relationship between Lebanon and the United States of America is ancient and deeply rooted, as ancient as the human and social principles and values that united their vision, and today it is returning with strength thanks to your insistence and tireless efforts to restore stability and security to the Middle East in general, and to Lebanon in particular. And we, while appreciating your efforts in this regard, call upon you to continue to stand firmly by Lebanon’s just and legitimate causes, and by its institutions, army, and people, so that we may turn the page on wars, tragedies, and pain and open a new page of hope, peace, and stability,’ the post stated.
Meanwhile, on the same day, President Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had requested a meeting at the White House that could take place as early as next week after Trump’s return from the NATO summit, Axios reported.
“We get along very good. [Netanyahu] knows who the boss is,” Trump said in a brief phone interview with Axios, referring to himself.
According to the report, the proposed meeting would be the first between the two leaders since their February meeting in the White House Situation Room, where Netanyahu presented a plan for a joint military campaign against Iran.
The development follows President Trump’s criticism of Netanyahu last month during a phone call over Israel’s escalation in Lebanon. According to Axios, Trump described the Israeli prime minister as “crazy” and accused him of ingratitude.
Axios also reported that differences between the two leaders have widened in recent months, with disagreements over regional security, Iran, and domestic political priorities.
The developments follow the formal signing of the trilateral framework agreement by the United States, Israel, and Lebanon on June 26. The accord, reached after several days of intensive negotiations in Washington, represents a significant step toward ending hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, although officials on both sides described it as an initial framework rather than a final settlement.
While the framework establishes a roadmap toward a future peace agreement, specific details have not been made public. (ANI)
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