Washington, United States. US President Donald Trump pledged continued support for Lebanon during talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun but did not provide a timetable for an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
Trump said Israeli forces were “in the process” of redeploying, while Aoun called for sustained US backing for Lebanon’s armed forces and the extension of state authority.
Israeli redeployment
Speaking alongside Aoun at the White House on Tuesday, Trump was asked whether Israel would withdraw from areas it continues to occupy in southern Lebanon.
“They’re in the process of doing that. They’re in the process of redeploying to other sections,” Trump said, without providing further details or announcing new US policy.
Framework agreement
The meeting took place as Washington continues to support a framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel under which the Lebanese Armed Forces would deploy to areas vacated by Israeli troops while ensuring there is no armed Hezbollah presence.
Aoun described the agreement as a “historic achievement” intended to end “the state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel forever.”
US support
The Lebanese president urged continued US support for Lebanon’s armed forces, calling them “the backbone of security and stability,” and sought greater political backing as Lebanon works to extend state authority across its territory.
Trump said Washington would continue assisting Lebanon.
“We’re going to help it. We’re going to help it a lot,” he said, adding that the country had been “badly treated” for decades.
Syria and Hezbollah
Trump said Syria could play a role in efforts to weaken Hezbollah, stating that Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa “would like to come in and do something with Hezbollah” and describing such a move as “very effective.”
Asked what concrete support the United States would provide to Lebanon following the meeting, Trump replied: “You’ll find out.”