WASHINGTON: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called on US President Donald Trump to continue supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), saying the military is the country’s most trusted institution and essential to maintaining stability as Lebanon seeks to strengthen state authority.
Speaking alongside Trump at the White House, Aoun said he had repeatedly asked the US president for two forms of assistance: continued political backing and sustained support for the Lebanese Army.
“I told President Trump that Lebanon needs two things from the United States: political support and support for the Lebanese Armed Forces,” Aoun said.
He stressed that the army plays a vital role in preserving security and warned that weakening the institution could have serious consequences for the country.
“Without the Lebanese Army, everything will collapse. We don’t want that, and I believe President Trump doesn’t want that either,” Aoun said.
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Recalling Lebanon’s history, the president said the collapse of the army in 1975 contributed to the country’s civil war, the rise of armed militias and the establishment of armed Palestinian groups in southern Lebanon, which later launched attacks against Israel.
Aoun said he has full confidence in the Lebanese Army and its leadership, emphasizing that the military is carrying out its responsibilities to the fullest extent. His remarks came amid reports suggesting some US officials have expressed concerns over the pace of the army’s efforts to implement security arrangements in southern Lebanon.
During the meeting, Trump again praised Aoun for signing last month’s US-backed framework agreement with Israel aimed at creating a pathway toward an eventual peace treaty between the two countries.
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Trump was also asked whether he still supported the idea of involving Syria’s new government in operations against Hezbollah inside Lebanon. Rather than repeating his earlier proposal, the US president described it as “a concept” and said it could potentially be effective without indicating that the idea would move forward.
When asked what tangible outcomes Aoun would take back to Lebanon following the White House meeting, Trump replied briefly, saying, “You’ll find out.”
