Trump: We will help Lebanon, and the framework agreement was very good.. Aoun: The ultimate goal is to end hostility with Israel forever

Beirut – Mansour Shaaban and agencies: Attention in Beirut was divided between security developments accompanying the deployment of the Lebanese army in experimental areas in the south, and the White House, where a summit took place between US President Donald Trump and Lebanese General Joseph Aoun.

Trump described relations with Lebanon as good, stating that the Lebanese president enjoys great respect. He added, upon receiving Aoun, “Lebanon was treated poorly in the past, and we will resolve many problems there, including those involving Hezbollah,” emphasizing, “We will greatly assist Lebanon.”

Trump expressed his belief that the Lebanese president could be among the best leaders in the Middle East. He pointed to the “Lebanese army’s redeployment process in the south.” He stated that the “framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel was very good.”

Trump also addressed the Iranian file, saying, “The Iranians strongly desire a meeting, and we will not pay attention to it until they are ready for a meaningful meeting.” He noted that “there is behind-the-scenes dialogue with Iran, and they want to end the matter because they are being destroyed; they are desperately seeking a meeting with us, and we are not interested in meeting them.”

He affirmed that “the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz is ongoing, and no one is passing through.” Regarding the Bab al-Mandab strait and threats by Houthi militias, he said, “We carried out nearly 45 days of very strong measures against the Houthis, and we have not experienced any problems with them since then.” He added, “If something happens at Bab al-Mandab, we will deal with it, as we have done before. If something occurs in the Red Sea, we will simply have to deal with it.”

He reiterated that “Iran cannot acquire a nuclear weapon, and it will not do so. We have significantly undermined its capabilities.” He warned that “any nuclear site the Iranians might consider reactivating will be struck again.” Trump said, “We are not finished with Iran, and we may very soon strike the Iranian site in Mount al-Fas with force.”

For his part, Aoun said, “The ultimate goal is to permanently end the state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel, and it is time for Lebanon and the entire region to enjoy stability and security,” thanking “President Trump for the historic achievements we have accomplished together.”

The Lebanese president affirmed, “The Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, is from the south and supports ending hostilities, and he is making great efforts.” He continued, “It is time to realize President Trump’s vision that peace should prevail in the region.” He added, “I have asked President Trump for political support.”

Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army Command issued a statement yesterday saying that “while military units were executing the deployment operation in the town of Zoutar al-Gharbi in Nabatieh, Israeli occupation forces fired near these units.”

It affirmed that this attack would hinder the implementation of deployment steps in the experimental areas, which are being carried out as part of communications with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon.