Trump Reaffirms US Support for Lebanon, Backs Security Reforms and Lasting Peace with Israel

Washington, July 206 : US President Donald Trump on Tuesday reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s political, economic and security stability, pledging continued assistance to help the country emerge from decades of conflict. Hosting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House, Trump said the United States would continue backing the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) while working to implement the recently signed US-brokered framework agreement aimed at ending hostilities between Lebanon and Israel.

The meeting, held in the Oval Office, marked a significant step in the Trump administration’s diplomatic efforts to stabilize the Middle East following the signing of the framework agreement in June. The accord seeks to expand the Lebanese army’s authority in southern Lebanon, reduce Hezbollah’s military influence in the region and facilitate a phased redeployment of Israeli forces.

Welcoming President Aoun, Trump described Lebanon as a nation that had endured years of instability and conflict but expressed confidence that it could move toward a more secure future with international support.

“Lebanon has been a very mistreated country for a long period of time,” Trump said. “We are going to help it a lot. We have already held several productive meetings, and we have resolved some important issues. We will continue working together to solve many more problems.”

Referring to the security challenges posed by Hezbollah, Trump acknowledged that the militant group remained a significant concern but indicated that progress had already been made.

“There is a Hezbollah problem, but we have taken certain steps that I believe the world will take notice of,” he said, without elaborating on the specific measures undertaken by his administration.

President Joseph Aoun expressed gratitude to Trump and his team for facilitating the framework agreement, describing the White House meeting as historic for Lebanon and the broader Middle East.

“I would like to thank President Trump and his team for this historic visit and for the historic achievement that we accomplished together by signing the framework agreement with the ultimate objective of ending the state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel forever,” Aoun said.

He praised Trump’s diplomatic efforts, saying the initiative could become one of the defining achievements of his presidency.

“I believe this will be your legacy,” Aoun remarked, adding that both leaders shared a common vision of peace, stability and long-term security in the region.

“It is time for Lebanon and the entire Middle East to enjoy peace and stability. Your vision is peace and stability, and I believe my vision aligns with yours,” he said.

Responding to questions about implementing the agreement, Trump said Israeli forces were already in the process of redeploying in accordance with the framework and stressed that the United States would continue discussions on strengthening Lebanon’s security institutions.

“We already have very concrete plans in place, with additional partners prepared to assist. At the same time, Lebanon is becoming increasingly self-sufficient,” Trump said when asked about future support for the Lebanese military.

President Aoun emphasized that strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces was essential to preserving national unity and preventing further instability.

“I need two things from you — political support and continued support for the Lebanese Armed Forces,” he said. “The LAF is the most trusted institution in our country. It keeps Lebanon safe and stable. Without it, the entire system could collapse.”

The Lebanese President said a strong national military was crucial for implementing the new framework agreement, maintaining internal security and ensuring that state institutions remained effective.

During the meeting, Trump also reiterated his administration’s commitment to expanding the Abraham Accords, the series of normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations initiated during his first term.

“The Abraham Accords have been tremendously successful,” Trump said. “I believe many more countries will join in the near future, and I think Lebanon has a very important role to play in that broader process.”

While stopping short of predicting when Lebanon might formally normalize relations with Israel, Trump suggested that the country could eventually become part of the expanding regional peace initiative.

The discussion also touched upon broader bilateral ties between Washington and Beirut. When asked whether direct commercial flights between the United States and Lebanon could resume in the future, Trump expressed optimism.

“I could certainly see that happening,” he said. “Absolutely.”

The White House meeting comes at a critical time as the Trump administration works to advance implementation of the June framework agreement, which aims to strengthen the Lebanese state’s authority in the south, reduce tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border and create conditions for a durable peace.

Ahead of the talks, senior White House officials reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to Lebanon’s economic recovery and institutional reforms, describing a stable and prosperous Lebanon as essential to broader Middle East security. The administration also indicated that continued US assistance would focus on strengthening governance, supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces and encouraging reforms that could help the country recover from years of political instability and economic crisis.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)