Lebanon's Aoun to meet Trump amid push to disarm Hezbollah

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, aiming to secure long-term calm in the region. The visit coincides with rare direct talks between Lebanon and Israel, mediated by the U.S., focused on an Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the Lebanese military asserting control in areas previously held by Hezbollah.

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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.

A framework agreement, announced in June, outlines a plan for Israeli withdrawal and Hezbollah's disarmament, paving the way for a potential peace agreement between the two nations, which have been in a state of war for decades. The U.S. State Department has indicated that initial operations in a "pilot zone" have begun, involving three villages where Lebanese army presence is being bolstered.

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This is not just about military stuff. This is about how can we attract more U.S. and international investment into Lebanon.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Aoun, expressing strong support for the agreement and stressing that Lebanon cannot achieve lasting peace without resolving the Hezbollah issue. Rubio suggested that a strong Lebanese government should be the sole force of arms in the country, and highlighted the need for U.S. and international investment to rebuild Lebanon's infrastructure. Skepticism remains in Lebanon about the potential for conflict if a military confrontation with Hezbollah were to occur.

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will adjust its force posture in one of the pilot areas in order to enable the Lebanese Armed Forces to carry out their mission