US and Lebanon Presidents Meet to Discuss Israeli Withdrawal and Hezbollah Warnings

Ahead of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Michel Aoun, a Lebanese diplomatic source revealed to Al-Joumhouria that the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon will top the agenda. President Aoun aims to secure a clear presidential commitment from Trump that the implementation of the withdrawal agreement will not be halted in one or two areas, emphasizing that the launch of "pilot zones" announced by the IDF marks the beginning of a process leading to the full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Aoun will also push for a clear sequence of withdrawals, where success in one zone automatically leads to the next without renewed political negotiations each time.

Lebanese officials stress that Hezbollah's disarmament is not an Israeli demand that Lebanon is fulfilling in exchange for land return, but a Lebanese decision tied to the state's sovereignty and exclusive authority over war and peace decisions. Another key topic is redefining Lebanon's regional role, with Aoun proposing Lebanon as a state capable of defending its borders, open to its Arab neighbors, and ready to build new relationships based on investments, trade, transportation, and reconstruction, beyond crisis management and security assistance.

A Lebanese military source told Nidaa Al-Watan that preparations for deploying the Lebanese army, especially in western Zawtar, are complete, and the ball is now in Israel's court to begin implementation. The source did not rule out completing the "pilot zones" phase today.

Meanwhile, Kan 11 reported growing concerns over Hezbollah's potential reckless involvement in a renewed US-Iran conflict. A diplomatic source in Beirut told Nidaa Al-Watan that stern warnings have been sent to Lebanese officials against Hezbollah opening a front in Lebanon amid escalating US military actions against Iran. Such involvement could provoke expanded Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, with explicit warnings to avoid targeting Lebanese state institutions and infrastructure. The source noted that previous Israeli strikes, including the destruction of a bank branch in Nabatieh, were clear messages. Any new military adventure could devastate areas like Dahieh, Baalbek, Hermel, and southern Lebanon, risking displacement of residents. Lebanon's interest lies in keeping the Lebanese arena detached from the US-Iran confrontation.