Trump Pledges Major Aid to Lebanon, Seeks Peace with Israel

US President Donald Trump vowed to provide "tremendous" assistance to Lebanon, meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House. Aoun is seeking Washington's backing for a delicate plan to disarm Hezbollah and pave the way for peace with Israel.

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We are going to help. We are going to give tremendous help.

Trump described Lebanon as a country that has been "severely hurt" and "treated very unfairly" over decades. He acknowledged the region's potential dangers but emphasized the Lebanese people's patriotism, stating, "We are going to help. We are going to give tremendous help."

President Aoun, the first Lebanese president to visit Washington since 2009, requested political support and continued aid for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). He stressed that the LAF is the "backbone of stability" and the most trusted institution in Lebanon, crucial for maintaining security.

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We need to support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). Without the LAF, everything will collapse.

The meeting also touched upon a US-backed framework agreement with Israel. While the Lebanese army has begun deploying in southern areas under this agreement, a recent incident saw Israeli forces fire near Lebanese troops entering a "pilot zone" that Israel was supposed to vacate. Trump stated the US would "look into" applying pressure on Israel regarding troop withdrawal.

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We will look into that.