Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday in Washington to conclude a four-day visit. The meeting aims to advance long-term calm in Lebanon following recent conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.
This visit occurs as Lebanon and Israel are engaged in rare direct talks, mediated by the United States. Lebanon hopes these discussions will lead to the withdrawal of Israeli troops from significant areas of southern Lebanon, which they currently occupy. Additionally, Lebanon seeks support for its military to establish full control in regions previously influenced by Hezbollah.
A framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel was announced on June 26. This agreement outlines a plan for Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon and for the disarmament of Hezbollah. It also details steps toward a potential peace agreement between the two nations, which have never had formal diplomatic relations and have been in a state of nominal war for nearly 80 years.
Operations in three villages designated as a "pilot zone" have commenced, according to the U.S. State Department, though specifics were not provided. The villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar al-Gharbieh are not currently under Israeli military control.
Lebanese President Aoun met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday. Rubio affirmed Washington's continued endorsement of the Lebanese agreement and its full implementation, describing the meeting as "very positive." He emphasized that Lebanon cannot achieve lasting peace without resolving the issue of Hezbollah's presence and influence.
"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. Skeptics in Lebanon express concerns that a military confrontation with Hezbollah could trigger a civil war. Lebanese officials have also advocated for investment in the country's infrastructure to strengthen the state, a point echoed by Rubio.
"This is not just about military stuff," Rubio added. "This is about how can we attract more U.S. and international investment into Lebanon."
The Lebanese military recently increased its presence in areas designated for the pilot zone, including the three villages, deploying troops for patrols and establishing checkpoints. While recent talks in Rome indicated that the agreement's implementation would begin soon, Israeli troops have not yet withdrawn from controlled areas.
Israeli officials have indicated plans to maintain forces in a "security zone" in southern Lebanon for the long term. Hezbollah, however, has dismissed the U.S.-brokered direct talks and instead supports U.S. negotiations with Iran, their key ally, to end the broader conflict, which includes ending the war in Lebanon as a condition for stability.
Lebanon's current government, which took power in early 2025 on a reformist platform, has pledged to disarm all non-state groups, including Hezbollah. The government attributes the country's renewed war with Israel to Hezbollah's actions in March, when the group fired rockets toward northern Israel following attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel.
Beirut's leadership has criticized Israel's subsequent ground invasion and extensive aerial campaign in Lebanon, which resulted in over 4,000 deaths and displaced 1.2 million people. Despite facing significant political opposition from Hezbollah and its allies within a divided Lebanon, the Lebanese leadership maintains that an Israeli withdrawal and international financial support for its army are essential for a lasting security solution.