Key facts
- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is set to visit the White House to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump.
- The visit is intended to discuss the framework of an agreement with Israel and advance diplomatic efforts.
- President Trump expressed disagreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel's conduct in Lebanon.
- A 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel has been agreed upon, set to begin soon.
- The U.S. has been mediating talks between Lebanon and Israel, with previous rounds hosted in Washington.
- Lebanon's demands include a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, prisoner release, and reconstruction.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is preparing for a visit to the White House to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, with the trip anticipated before the end of July. The discussions are expected to center on the ongoing negotiations and a potential agreement framework between Lebanon and Israel.
President Trump confirmed Aoun's upcoming visit, stating it would occur within the next two weeks. He also revealed a disagreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Israel's actions in Lebanon, urging a more gentle approach. Trump expressed a desire for peace in Lebanon and suggested that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa could assist in addressing the Hezbollah issue.
Earlier reports indicated that a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel had been agreed upon, brokered by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This ceasefire is set to commence shortly. The U.S. has been instrumental in facilitating these negotiations, which represent the first high-level talks between the two countries in decades.
Lebanon has reiterated its demands, which include a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israeli jails, and the initiation of reconstruction processes. President Aoun has welcomed a recent U.S.-Iran deal as a positive development for regional de-escalation.