Lebanon's Aoun to Meet Trump at White House, Seeking Pressure on Israel for Hezbollah Disarmament

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is set to make his first visit to the White House this week, seeking to present a plan to US President Donald Trump aimed at disarming the Iran-backed group Hezbollah and securing Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Aoun, who previously commanded the US-backed Lebanese army, is the first Lebanese head of state in nearly two decades to visit the White House. His meeting with Trump comes at a critical juncture for Lebanon, with Israeli troops occupying parts of the country's south and hundreds of thousands displaced by Israeli strikes. Hezbollah has resisted government efforts to disarm it and integrate its forces.

In comments released by his office, Aoun stated he would ask Trump to "exert the necessary pressure on Israel" to enact a June 26 agreement. This deal, brokered by the US, intends to disarm Hezbollah, facilitate a phased Israeli troop withdrawal, and pave the way for normalized relations between the two nations. A Lebanese official indicated Aoun would submit a written proposal detailing how to decommission Hezbollah's extensive arsenal, believing only Trump has the necessary leverage.

Aoun, 62, became president last year, a move welcomed by the US. His presidency has focused on disarming Hezbollah, founded in 1982 by Iran's Revolutionary Guards. Lebanese troops had previously deployed in southern Lebanon to collect Hezbollah weapons without significant opposition, following a ceasefire after the 2024 war. However, a new conflict erupted in March when Hezbollah attacked Israel in support of Iran, triggering a fierce Israeli response that has resulted in significant casualties.

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exert the necessary pressure on Israel