Lebanon's Aoun to make first trip to Trump's White House with Hezbollah disarmament plan

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun is set to make a significant visit to the White House this week for his first meeting with US President Donald Trump. This marks the first time a Lebanese head of state has visited the White House in nearly two decades, highlighting the importance of the current diplomatic engagement.

The visit comes at a critical juncture for Lebanon, with Aoun planning to discuss the ongoing situation in his country. Key agenda items include efforts to consolidate the ceasefire and, crucially, to advocate for Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territories it occupies. The Lebanese presidency has stated that Aoun will also hold consultations with other American officials regarding these matters.

Aoun's agenda also includes the planned deployment of Lebanese Armed Forces troops to pilot zones in southern Lebanon, near Israeli troop positions. The intention is for the Lebanese army to assert control over these areas, potentially reducing the influence of Hezbollah. However, the Lebanese army has historically struggled to confront or disarm Hezbollah, and it remains uncertain if the government possesses the will to do so.

The visit occurs amidst heightened regional tensions, including multi-day US strikes on Iran. This broader context could influence the discussions, potentially impacting Hezbollah's actions due to Iranian influence. Additionally, the report notes the presence of displaced Lebanese who wish to return to southern Lebanon, making Israel's withdrawal a central point of Aoun's messaging to the US.

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meetings and consultations with a number of American officials to discuss the situation in Lebanon and ways to consolidate the ceasefire," in addition to "Israel's withdrawal from the Lebanese areas it occupies.