Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, July 21st, 2026, in Washington to discuss advancing a US-backed agreement between Lebanon and Israel signed on June 26. The agreement focuses on disarming the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and securing a progressive Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Aoun, who served as commander of Lebanon's US-backed army before his election last year, is the first Lebanese head of state in nearly two decades to visit the White House. His visit comes amid ongoing Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon and displacement of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese following Israeli strikes.

Prior to the White House meeting, Aoun held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing the need for cooperation to implement the agreement, starting with an initial Israeli troop withdrawal. Rubio praised Lebanon's efforts to reclaim sovereignty, disarm Hezbollah, and move towards peace.

A Lebanese official indicated that Aoun will present Trump with a written proposal detailing how to decommission Hezbollah's arsenal, asserting that only Trump has the leverage to pressure Israel to withdraw and help Lebanon restore sovereignty.

Hezbollah has firmly rejected the government's direct talks with Israel and attempts to disarm the group. Aoun's election marks a significant shift in Lebanon's political landscape following Israel's 2024 offensive that weakened Hezbollah and the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a key regional ally of Hezbollah.

In March, Aoun criticized the European Union, accusing it of disregarding Lebanon's interests and working according to the calculations of the Iranian regime.

Sources