Trump promises US support for Lebanon in White House meeting with president

Lebanon and Israel have held rare direct talks mediated by Washington. Aoun’s visit was the first to the White House by a Lebanese president since 2009. US President Donald Trump pledged to help Lebanon “a lot” during a White House meeting on Tuesday with his Lebanese counterpart, Joseph Aoun, who travelled to Washington seeking US support for long-term stability following months of war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group. “It’s been a very badly treated place and country and we’re going to have it properly treated and treated with the respect it deserves,” Trump told Aoun. “We’re gonna help it a lot," he said, without giving concrete details. Aoun thanked the US President for his support, writing in the White House guest book that he felt "deep appreciation for President Trump's friendship and for the support the United States of America provides to Lebanon, its sovereignty, its legitimate institutions, and the Lebanese Armed Forces". Asked about a full Israeli military withdrawal from Lebanon, Trump said: “They’re in the process of doing that. They’re in the process of redeploying,” but did not elaborate. Aoun praised Trump’s approach, telling him: “Your vision is peace,” and describing it as his “legacy.” “I do agree with that,” Trump joked. He then called Aoun handsome and said he “knows how to get to me,” adding: “Now he can have anything.” The US has pushed for peace in Lebanon but has become increasingly focused on a new escalation in the war with Iran, which has further destabilised the Middle East. On Wednesday, Trump said he had little interest, at least for now, in holding talks with Iran’s leader to end the conflict. Lebanon hopes the talks result in Israeli troops withdrawing from large swaths of southern Lebanon that they currently occupy, and the Lebanese military receiving support to assert full control in areas where Hezbollah militants had held sway. Meanwhile, the US said operations had begun in three villages under a pilot plan aimed at facilitating the deployment of the Lebanese army as Israeli forces prepare to redeploy from parts of southern Lebanon.