Trump Invites Lebanese President to Discuss Ceasefire
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is scheduled to meet United States President Donald Trump at the White House next week. The agenda is aimed at discussing efforts to strengthen the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, including pushing for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.
According to Al Jazeera, Aoun departed for Washington on Saturday (18/7) at Trump’s invitation. This visit marks the first trip by a Lebanese head of state to the White House since former President Michel Sleiman met President Barack Obama in 2009.
In a statement, the Lebanese Presidency said the meeting would discuss measures to reinforce the ceasefire, ensure the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, and restore security and stability across the entire country. The two leaders will also discuss efforts to expand the Lebanese government’s authority throughout the nation’s territory.
Aoun’s visit comes just days after Lebanese and Israeli officials concluded the latest round of US-mediated negotiations in Rome. According to a US official, both sides have agreed on further steps to establish ‘pilot zones’ in southern Lebanon. Under this scheme, Israeli forces would begin a phased withdrawal while the Lebanese Armed Forces take over security control of the area.
The pilot zones are part of a framework agreement reached last June to gradually end Israel’s military presence in southern Lebanon. However, the agreement does not set a deadline for the Israeli troop withdrawal. The pullout process is linked to the condition that Hezbollah and other armed groups disarm, a requirement Hezbollah has so far rejected.
Amid the negotiation process, Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon have not fully ceased. Lebanese state media reported that Israel launched fresh strikes on two towns in the Tyre and Nabatieh areas, located on the edge of the security zone. The Israeli military stated the strikes targeted a Hezbollah cell near Tebnit in southern Lebanon after its soldiers detected a Hezbollah drone in the area. Israel accused the activity of violating the ceasefire understanding. Hezbollah has yet to respond to the claim.
The Israeli government has insisted its forces will remain in a security zone approximately 10 kilometres wide along the border as long as Hezbollah retains its weapons. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has rejected the negotiation process and the existing framework agreement. The group also refuses demands to disarm and has stated that only pressure from its ally, Iran, can force Israel to end the war and withdraw all its troops from Lebanon.
The latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began with cross-border exchanges of fire after Israel’s war in Gaza erupted in October 2023. Tensions eventually escalated into open war in March following US and Israeli strikes against Iran. Although a ceasefire is currently in place, Israeli forces still occupy parts of southern Lebanon and continue to carry out periodic strikes amid negotiations aimed at reaching a long-term settlement.