Mohamed Fawzy‏‏

On July 21, 2026, President Joseph Aoun visited Washington to meet with President Donald Trump, marking a pivotal moment not only in the trajectory of bilateral relations between the two countries but also in the broader regional developments in which Lebanon has become a central arena. The visit, which held special significance as the first by a Lebanese president to the United States since 2009, covered a wide range of critical issues—foremost among them being Israel's military presence in Lebanon and arrangements for managing the country's security and military landscape. By addressing these issues, Washington seeks to strengthen the authority of the Lebanese state while simultaneously curbing Hezbollah's domestic influence.Key IssuesPresident Joseph Aoun's talks with President Donald Trump in Washington focused on several key issues:1. U.S. Plans to Support Lebanese State Institutions: At the outset of his meeting with President Joseph Aoun, President Donald Trump affirmed that Washington has clear plans to support Lebanon's state institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). In this context, Trump <a href="https://fortune.com/2026/07/21/trump-moves-to-restore-direct-u-s-lebanon-flights-after-four-decade-hiatus/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">stated</a>: "We are going to help Lebanon tremendously. We will treat it properly and with respect." He added, "We've spoken before, and we have a very good relationship. Lebanon has remarkable and highly educated people. It has a Hezbollah problem, but we've accomplished something the world will notice." Trump also <a href="https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3317401&amp;utm_campaign=nabdapp.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=nabdapp.com&amp;ocid=Nabd_App" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">indicated</a> that the United States intends to support the Lebanese Army in consolidating its control over areas which Israeli forces are expected to withdraw from under previous arrangements.These remarks underscore a key element of Washington's current approach toward Lebanon. Despite criticism from some U.S. officials in recent months over the Lebanese Army’s performance, the Trump administration continues to regard it as the only institution capable of implementing any future security arrangements. Consequently, U.S. assistance to the Lebanese Army is no longer viewed merely as a military aid program. Rather, it has become part of a broader strategy aimed at gradually transferring the state's monopoly over security from non-state actors to Lebanon's official institutions.2. Israel's Withdrawal from Lebanese Territory: During the talks, Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory emerged as one of the central <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanons-aoun-meet-trump-white-house-hoping-generate-pressure-israel-2026-07-21/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">issues</a>. President Joseph Aoun sought to capitalize on President Donald Trump's close relationship with the Israeli government to encourage Israel to completely withdraw from areas in southern Lebanon where Israeli forces remain deployed.This position reflects Beirut's recognition that Israel’s continued military presence undermines the Lebanese state's legitimacy in exercising full sovereignty over its territory while simultaneously providing Hezbollah with political and military justification for retaining its weapons under the banner of "resistance." Accordingly, Aoun sought to convince Trump that any effort to promote stability or advance disarmament would remain ineffective unless preceded by an end to what Lebanon considers the Israeli occupation, thereby enabling the state to reestablish its exclusive authority over the legitimate use of force across its entire territory.3. The Disarmament of Hezbollah: According to several <a href="https://www.skynewsarabia.com/middle-east/1882095-%D8%B9%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A8-%D8%AE%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B2%D8%B9-%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">reports</a>, the Lebanese president arrived in Washington carrying a written proposal outlining a gradual mechanism for dismantling Hezbollah's military arsenal in order to demonstrate to the U.S. administration that Lebanon possesses a viable strategy for addressing the issue without triggering internal confrontation. The reported proposal conditions progress on sustained U.S. pressure on Israel to complete its withdrawal from the areas it controls in southern Lebanon in accordance with the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement.This initiative reflects Lebanon's shift from merely managing the crisis to formulating a practical framework to address weapons outside the state’s authority. The proposal seeks to capitalize on the relative decline in Hezbollah's military and political capabilities following the war with Israel and the collapse of the Assad regime, developments that Washington views as a potentially unique opportunity to reshape Lebanon's internal balance of power. It also demonstrates Beirut's attempt to proactively address one of the most complex issues arising from the ceasefire arrangements. Rather than accepting Israel's demand that disarmament must come first, the Lebanese government is seeking to persuade Washington that its proposed roadmap begins with Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory.4. Laying the Groundwork for Long-Term Arrangements Between Lebanon and Israel: During his talks with President Trump, President Joseph Aoun <a href="https://voi.id/ar/news/586083" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">stated</a> that "the time has come for Lebanon and the entire region to become stable and secure, and we want to end the state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel forever."This position aligns closely with two important considerations shaping the U.S. administration's approach to Lebanese-Israeli relations. First, recent U.S. statements suggest that Washington is no longer focused solely on maintaining a ceasefire but is instead seeking to establish a long-term political and security framework to address the underlying causes of cross-border tensions. Second, the administration continues to pursue the possibility of integrating Lebanon into the Abraham Accords with Israel.5. Trump's Indication That He Is Prepared to Speak with Hezbollah: Among the most notable aspects of the meeting between Trump and Aoun was the U.S. president's <a href="https://www.bbc.com/arabic/articles/c0rdgyr7kvpo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">indication</a> that he would be willing to speak with Hezbollah if President Joseph Aoun requested such an engagement. This statement is particularly significant because it represents a partial departure from the traditional U.S. policy of avoiding direct political engagement with Hezbollah, which Washington designates as a terrorist organization.These remarks should not necessarily be interpreted as signaling the U.S.’s willingness to recognize Hezbollah or normalize relations with the group. Rather, they reflect the pragmatic approach that has characterized the Trump administration, whereby multiple channels of communication may be considered if they serve a broader strategic objective. Accordingly, Trump's comments do not represent a fundamental shift in Washington's position toward Hezbollah so much as they illustrate tactical flexibility in crisis management, allowing the United States to position itself as a mediator capable of communicating with all relevant parties should future settlement efforts require it.Outcomes of the VisitThe significance of President Joseph Aoun's visit to Washington extended beyond the issues discussed during the meetings, encompassing the broader political and strategic outcomes it generated:1. Reinforcing the U.S. Partnership with the Lebanese State: The visit underscored that the United States is firmly committed to investing in Lebanon's state institutions rather than relying on temporary political accommodations among competing domestic factions. President Donald Trump reaffirmed Washington's continued support for the Lebanese presidency, the government, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as the institutions best positioned to lead the country's state-building process. At the same time, this approach provides President Joseph Aoun and his government with substantial political backing and enhanced international legitimacy.2. Resuming Direct Flights Between the United States and Lebanon: &nbsp;Following his meeting with President Joseph Aoun, President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.reuters.com/ar/business/7GPQ4EPDQVJLJPKOKLHXSEAD5Y-2026-07-21/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">announced</a> that he had instructed his administration to authorize all U.S. airlines to resume direct flights to Lebanon. Direct air service between the two countries was suspended in 1985 after the hijacking of TWA Flight 847, which was traveling from Athens to Rome before being forced to land in Beirut. A U.S. Navy diver was killed during the 17-day hostage crisis that followed.The significance of this decision extends well beyond the resumption of direct flights. It sends a broader signal of confidence to investors, financial markets, and international financial institutions that Washington sees an opportunity to gradually reintegrate Lebanon into the global economy. Such a move could help stimulate tourism, attract investment, and strengthen ties with the Lebanese diaspora in the United States. Politically, the decision also signals the Trump administration's intention to move beyond crisis management and toward a more proactive strategy to support Lebanon's long-term stability through practical measures.3. Launching the Initial Phase of Israel's Gradual Withdrawal from Lebanon: President Joseph Aoun's visit to Washington effectively paved the way for the initial implementation of Israel's gradual withdrawal from Lebanese territory. On July 21, 2026, the United States <a href="https://www.mc-doualiya.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A9/20260720-%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B4%D9%86%D8%B7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%AA%D8%B7%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">announced</a> the launch of pilot-zone operations in the villages of Froun, Srifa, and Western Zawtar in accordance with the framework agreement brokered by Washington between Lebanon and Israel. Simultaneously, the <a href="https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/ar/news/553470/%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%84%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%84-%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9-2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">deployment</a> of the Lebanese Armed Forces in the town of Western Zawtar was announced.Despite these developments, the pilot-zone initiative continues to face significant challenges. This includes mechanisms for monitoring the parties' compliance with the agreement, verifying that the designated areas remain free of weapons and Hezbollah personnel, and addressing the persistence of Israeli military strikes, even if they remain relatively limited in scope.4. Preparing for a New Round of Lebanese-Israeli Talks: One of the visit's indirect outcomes is the momentum it has generated for the Lebanese-Israeli negotiating track, particularly as the U.S. administration appears prepared to apply significant diplomatic pressure in support of its broader strategy for Lebanon. In this context, reports citing Lebanese officials indicate that a <a href="https://aawsat.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85/%D8%A3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%A7/5298932-%D8%A5%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B6%D9%8A%D9%81-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%AB%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84-%D9%81%D9%8A-4-%D8%A3%D8%BA%D8%B3%D8%B7%D8%B3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">new round</a> of direct talks between Lebanon and Israel is scheduled to take place in Italy on August 4.The upcoming negotiations are expected to focus on more detailed technical issues, particularly those related to the implementation of the pilot-zone arrangements.5. Hezbollah's Continued Efforts to Pressure the Lebanese Government: Hezbollah sought to undermine the political momentum generated by President Joseph Aoun's visit to Washington. On July 23, 2026, the group's parliamentary bloc, Loyalty to the Resistance, headed by MP Mohammad Raad, <a href="https://www.alghad.tv/%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%AF/news/%D9%83%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D9%87%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B7-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">issued</a> a statement criticizing the Lebanese government's handling of several political and economic issues. The statement reiterated the bloc's rejection of any direct negotiations with Israel, emphasizing that "the priority at this stage is the withdrawal of the Israeli army from occupied Lebanese territory." It also criticised President Aoun's visit to Washington.This position reflects the continuing complexity of Lebanon's domestic political landscape, particularly given Hezbollah's ongoing refusal to relinquish its weapons under current circumstances while linking any discussion of disarmament to Israel's complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory.ConclusionPresident Joseph Aoun's recent visit to the United States derived its significance not only from the domestic and regional context in which it took place but also from the political and strategic outcomes that could lay the foundation for a new phase in Lebanese-American relations. Nevertheless, any meaningful progress in Lebanon's political trajectory will remain contingent upon a complex set of interrelated factors. Foremost among these are Israel's complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the Lebanese state's ability to build domestic consensus around a national defense strategy that ultimately places the monopoly on the legitimate use of force firmly in the hands of the state. The extent to which these objectives are achieved will, in turn, play a decisive role in shaping both U.S. and broader international policy toward Lebanon.

What President Aoun’s Meeting with Trump Means for Lebanon?