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🇮🇱 Israel /Elections & Politics

Trump Welcomes Lebanese President Aoun to White House, Pledges Support

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • U.S. President Donald Trump met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House, marking the first such visit in over 17 years.
  • The meeting occurred during a critical time for Lebanon, with Israeli troops occupying southern areas and Hezbollah resisting government disarmament efforts.
  • Trump pledged significant support for Lebanon, describing it as a "very badly treated place and country," while Aoun sought stability and security.

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House on Tuesday, a historic meeting marking the first visit by a Lebanese president in more than 17 years.

The high-level discussion took place against a backdrop of significant challenges for Lebanon. Israeli troops currently occupy parts of the country's south, hundreds of thousands of Lebanese remain displaced by Israeli strikes, and the powerful group Hezbollah has rejected direct government talks with Israel and efforts to disarm it.

It's been a very badly treated place and country, and we're going to have it properly treated, and treated with the respect that is deserves.

— US President Donald TrumpExpressing U.S. support and commitment to Lebanon during the meeting with President Aoun.

During the meeting, President Trump expressed strong support for Lebanon, stating, "It's been a very badly treated place and country, and we're going to have it properly treated, and treated with the respect that is deserves." He also addressed potential threats from Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement, warning that the U.S. would "just have to take care of business" if they impose a blockade on Red Sea shipping.

It’s about time for Lebanon to be stable and secure.

— Lebanese President Joseph AounStating his aspirations for Lebanon during the White House meeting.

President Aoun, in turn, thanked Trump for what he termed a "historic achievement of signing the framework," expressing a desire for Lebanon to achieve stability and security. His office indicated that the discussions would also cover consolidating the ceasefire and Israel's withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories.

The visit signifies a potential shift in U.S.-Lebanon relations, with the U.S. pledging support amidst the country's complex political and security landscape. The meeting underscores the ongoing efforts to navigate regional tensions and address Lebanon's internal struggles.

The United States would respond if Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement follows through on its threat to impose a blockade on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. If the group takes action, the United States 'will just have to take care of business,' he said.

— US President Donald TrumpAddressing potential Houthi actions in the Red Sea during a press availability.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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