Lebanese President Michel Aoun is scheduled to visit the White House this week for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, where he intends to present a plan aimed at disarming the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and securing Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon. This marks the first trip to the White House by a Lebanese head of state in nearly two decades.
The meeting occurs at a critical juncture for Lebanon. Israeli troops currently occupy southern Lebanon, and hundreds of thousands of Lebanese remain displaced following past Israeli military actions. Hezbollah has consistently rejected direct talks with Israel and efforts by the Lebanese government to disarm the group.
President Aoun has stated his intention to request that President Trump "exert the necessary pressure on Israel" to implement a U.S.-brokered agreement reached on June 26. This accord is designed to facilitate the disarmament of Hezbollah, a phased Israeli troop withdrawal, and the establishment of peaceful relations between the two nations. A Lebanese official indicated that Aoun will provide Trump with a written proposal detailing the decommissioning of Hezbollah's extensive arsenal, believing that only President Trump possesses the necessary leverage to compel Israel's withdrawal and assist Lebanon in regaining its sovereignty.
Aoun, a former commander of the U.S.-backed Lebanese army, was elected president last year. His election was welcomed by the United States. As a Maronite Christian, his presidency adheres to Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system. His tenure has been characterized by the government's pursuit of Hezbollah's disarmament, a group founded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982.
However, Aoun's efforts have faced significant challenges, including a recent escalation of conflict. Hezbollah launched an attack on Israel on March 2 in support of Iran, which triggered a substantial Israeli military response that has resulted in a significant number of casualties in Lebanon. Following this outbreak of hostilities, President Aoun called for direct talks with Israel, a move that drew criticism from Hezbollah and its supporters. Despite this opposition, Aoun has maintained his position, criticizing Hezbollah for initiating the war and suggesting Lebanon is being harmed for Iran's benefit.
