Hezbollah Ally Criticizes Lebanese President's US Visit as Ineffective and Symbolically Damaging

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's historic visit to Washington, his first in about 17 years, has sparked sharp criticism from Hezbollah-aligned factions. The pro-Hezbollah camp accuses Aoun of arriving without tangible achievements, conceding too much without receiving benefits, and damaging the dignity of the Lebanese presidency through various missteps. The Hezbollah-linked Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar criticized Aoun's informal attire and the large size of his delegation, which included family members, deeming it inappropriate amid Lebanon's severe economic crisis.

During a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Rubio reportedly emphasized that there would be no guarantee of Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory unless Lebanon demonstrates a commitment to disarming Hezbollah. Hezbollah supporters questioned the benefits Lebanon gains from engaging with the US, doubting Aoun's ability to secure American pressure on Israel in exchange for concessions already made.

According to reports from the Lebanese newspaper Al-Diyar, Aoun is expected to demand that any pilot withdrawal zones be implemented according to Lebanon's vision, starting with Israeli withdrawal from already occupied Lebanese lands rather than areas where the Lebanese army is present. He is also set to reject Syrian involvement in Hezbollah's disarmament, insisting that the issue be resolved solely through Lebanese state institutions. Furthermore, Aoun will request US assistance for the Lebanese army to fulfill its duties and warn that delays could impact the army's effectiveness.

Sources indicate Aoun plans to keep the US-Iran conflict separate from Lebanese-Israeli negotiations to avoid escalating regional tensions into a new war. He is aware of Israeli attempts to delay withdrawal and provoke conflict with Iran but relies on sustained US pressure to deter such actions. The visit highlights the complex interplay of Lebanese domestic politics, regional security concerns, and US foreign policy priorities.