Trump promises US support for Lebanon in White House meeting with President Aoun

US President Donald Trump met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House on Tuesday, promising to help Lebanon "a lot" as the Lebanese leader sought US backing for long-term stability following months of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group. Trump did not provide specific details on the support.

"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." Aoun expressed gratitude, 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."

When 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," without elaborating. Aoun praised Trump's approach, saying: "Your vision is peace," calling it 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 destabilized 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 they currently occupy, and the Lebanese military receiving support to assert full control in areas where Hezbollah 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.