Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has announced plans to visit the White House before the end of July for talks with US President Donald Trump aimed at advancing a framework agreement related to Israel.
The planned visit follows a 17-minute phone conversation between the two leaders on Sunday, which Aoun described as “good.”
In an interview with Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar, Aoun acknowledged that the proposed framework is “not ideal” but said it reflects the realities on the ground and the current balance of power in southern Lebanon.
“This is a framework, not an agreement with Israel,” Aoun said. “No one should bet on the Lebanese army’s division, and I will not let my people die.”
He stressed that accepting the framework would not prevent Lebanon from pursuing its territorial rights or seeking the return of occupied land.
Aoun also outlined plans for a phased security transition, beginning with a pilot deployment of the Lebanese army in the town of Zawtar in Nabatieh district. The initiative aims to place the army in sole control of selected areas to facilitate a gradual Israeli military withdrawal.
The Lebanese president said Beirut had asked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure that the nearby Ali Al-Taher hill remains under Lebanese army control, adding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to the proposal.
Aoun also defended Lebanon’s decision to send a minister to the funeral of Iran’s late supreme leader, saying diplomatic relations with Tehran remain intact.
“Our diplomatic relations with Iran continue and are not severed,” he said.
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