Aoun takes Lebanon’s peace push to Washington

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is in Washington for crucial talks with U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, seeking American support to bolster a ceasefire and secure Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territories. This visit marks the first by a Lebanese head of state to Washington since 2009, underscoring the significance of the current diplomatic efforts.

The discussions come after the latest round of U.S.-sponsored negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, which began in April with the goal of achieving a peace deal and permanently ending the conflict with Hezbollah. A framework agreement was reached in June, outlining an Israeli military withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army in designated "pilot zones."

Despite progress in talks, sporadic violence persists along the border. The Israeli military reported striking a Hezbollah cell, while Hezbollah held a mass funeral for dozens killed in recent clashes. The group has firmly rejected the disarmament terms linked to the peace agreement and has staged rallies to voice its opposition.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has renewed its travel warning for the region amid ongoing security tensions. The Lebanese army has reportedly intensified patrols in villages near Israeli-occupied areas in preparation for the potential implementation of the pilot zones, signaling a cautious move towards de-escalation.