BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 18 (ANI): Lebanese President Joseph Aoun departed for Washington on Saturday morning (local time) with First Lady Naamt Aoun at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump for a Lebanese-American summit at the White House.
In a post on X, the Lebanese Presidency said President Aoun will hold a series of meetings and consultations with U.S. officials to discuss the situation in Lebanon, ways to strengthen the ceasefire, and efforts to restore security and stability in the region.
The talks are also expected to focus on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory and extending the authority of the Lebanese state across the country.
“President General Joseph Aoun and First Lady Mrs. Naamt Aoun left Beirut this morning for Washington, in response to an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump,” the post said.
“A Lebanese-American summit will be held at the White House, and President Aoun will conduct meetings and consultations with a number of American officials addressing the situation in Lebanon and the possible means to consolidate the ceasefire, restore security and stability to Lebanon in general and the south in particular, the withdrawal of Israel from the Lebanese areas it occupies, and the extension of the state’s authority over all areas,” it added.
The visit follows a 17-minute phone call between Trump and Aoun on July 5, which the Lebanese president described as “good.”
The meeting also comes after Beirut and Tel Aviv signed a U.S.-brokered framework agreement last month aimed at promoting long-term stability and advancing the demilitarization of the Iran-backed Shiite militia.
Earlier this month, in an interview with the Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar, Aoun acknowledged that the framework agreement was “not ideal” but said the Lebanese government’s acceptance reflected the realities on the ground and the current balance of power in southern Lebanon, which he said favors Israel, according to Al Jazeera.
“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 arrangement would not prevent Lebanon from pursuing its rights and seeking the return of occupied territory.
Aoun also said Lebanese officials had asked U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure that the disputed hill remains under the control of the Lebanese Army and that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to the proposal.
Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump also urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to begin withdrawing Israeli military forces from southern Syria and Lebanon during a telephone conversation, according to Axios, citing U.S. and Israeli officials.
According to the report, Trump warned that Israel’s continued military presence in Syrian territory could increase regional instability.
“They don’t want you there. You should redeploy,” Trump told Netanyahu, according to a U.S. official cited by Axios. The official added that Trump delivered “the same” message regarding Israel’s military deployment in southern Lebanon.
The reported conversation took place a day after Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey.
However, Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israeli forces will remain in Lebanon “as long as the need requires.” (ANI)
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