Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is set to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, as Beirut pushes for Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and grapples with internal divisions. The meeting comes at a perilous time, with renewed US-Iran fighting threatening to reignite the Hezbollah-Israel front.

Aoun has been touting US support for his push to secure Israel's withdrawal through negotiations while disarming Hezbollah. Critics argue Lebanon has no leverage, but the government relies on Trump's goodwill. Aoun's office seeks to translate Washington's interest into concrete support for the Lebanese military and economy.

On Sunday, Aoun met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stressing the need to align Lebanese and American positions. Rubio claimed that supporting the Lebanese government is the best way to defeat Hezbollah. "He is the legitimate government, he is who we're going to work with," Rubio told reporters.

The trilateral framework between Lebanon, Israel, and the US sets a new security reality. Lebanon recognizes Israel and conditions Israeli withdrawal on Hezbollah's disarmament. The deal is widely criticized in Lebanon, with Hezbollah refusing to abide by it. Critics say it abandons Lebanese sovereignty and legitimizes occupation.

Rights advocates have voiced alarm over a clause where Lebanon commits not to pursue Israeli abuses in international courts. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz openly stated that "Shia villages on the contact line had to disappear," echoing tactics used in Gaza.

Coinciding with Aoun's visit, the US State Department announced the first "pilot zones" in south Lebanon, where the Lebanese army would deploy as Israel withdraws. However, the first zone includes towns not occupied by Israel, effectively canceling any benefit for Lebanon. Israeli officials have stressed they will stay in Lebanon as long as necessary.

Source: www.aljazeera.com