Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is set to meet US President Donald Trump on Tuesday to conclude a four-day visit to Washington, seeking to secure long-term stability in the war-torn country after months of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.
The landmark meeting comes as Lebanon and Israel continue rare direct talks mediated by the United States. Beirut hopes the negotiations will lead to the withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of southern Lebanon they still occupy and secure support for the Lebanese Armed Forces to establish full control over areas previously dominated by Hezbollah.
On 26 June, Lebanon and Israel announced a framework agreement outlining the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah. The deal also sets out steps towards a future peace agreement between the two countries, which have never established formal diplomatic relations and have technically remained at war since Israel's creation in 1948.
The US State Department said on Monday that operations had begun in three villages designated as part of a "pilot zone", although it did not provide further details. Two of the villages — Froun and Srifa — are already under the control of the Lebanese army, while Israeli troops remain stationed in parts of Zawtar al-Gharbieh.
The Lebanese army said it was preparing to deploy in Zawtar al-Gharbieh following an anticipated Israeli withdrawal. The Israeli military separately said it would adjust its force posture in one of the pilot areas to enable the Lebanese Armed Forces to carry out their mission, without identifying the location.
Aoun met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, who reaffirmed Washington's support for the framework agreement and its full implementation.
Rubio described the talks as "very positive" but warned that Lebanon would "never be fully at peace" unless the Hezbollah issue was resolved.
"How do you replace Hezbollah? You defeat and replace them with a government that is strong enough to be the sole force of arms in the country," Rubio said after the meeting.
His remarks come amid concerns in Lebanon that any military confrontation with Hezbollah could trigger another civil war. Lebanese officials have instead stressed the need for international investment to rebuild the country's battered economy and strengthen state institutions.
Rubio echoed that view, saying: "This is not just about military stuff. This is about how can we attract more US and international investment into Lebanon."
The Lebanese army last week increased its presence in several areas expected to be included in the pilot zone, establishing checkpoints and conducting patrols. Although recent talks in Rome have raised expectations that implementation of the agreement will begin soon, Israeli forces have yet to withdraw from the areas they currently control.
Israeli officials, however, have said they intend to maintain a long-term military presence in a "security zone" in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah has rejected the US-mediated direct talks between Lebanon and Israel, instead backing Washington's negotiations with its key ally Iran to end the wider regional conflict, including fighting in Lebanon.
Lebanon's government, which took office on a reformist platform earlier this year, has pledged to disarm all non-state armed groups, including Hezbollah. It accuses the group of dragging the country into renewed conflict with Israel in March after launching rockets into northern Israel following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
At the same time, Beirut has criticised Israel's subsequent ground offensive and extensive air campaign in Lebanon, which has killed more than 4,000 people and displaced around 1.2 million.
Despite facing strong political opposition from Hezbollah and its allies, the Lebanese government maintains that a full Israeli withdrawal and sustained international support for the cash-strapped Lebanese army are essential to achieving lasting security.