# Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun Travels to Washington for High-Stakes Meeting with Trump

*Lebanese President Joseph Aoun departed for Washington to meet Donald Trump, marking the first trip by a Lebanese head of state since 2009.*

July 18, 2026 · World

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun departed Beirut on Saturday for Washington, where he is expected to meet Donald Trump, according to the Lebanese presidency. This marks the first visit to Washington by a Lebanese head of state since Michel Sleiman met with Barack Obama in 2009.

Aoun will discuss several critical issues with American officials, including the situation in Lebanon, ways to strengthen the ceasefire in southern Lebanon, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Lebanese regions.

The visit follows recent US-sponsored negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, which aim to reach a peace deal and permanently end the Israel-Hezbollah war. On June 26, the two nations reached a framework agreement in Washington for an Israeli military withdrawal from southern Lebanon, contingent on Hezbollah's disarmament—a condition Hezbollah has rejected.

Despite a ceasefire, sporadic attacks continue, and Israel maintains a 'security zone' in south Lebanon. On Saturday, fresh airstrikes targeted towns near this zone in the Tyre and Nabatieh regions. The US embassy has warned Americans against traveling to Lebanon due to high tensions in the Middle East.

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Source: https://pulsetoday.com.bd/en/world/lebanon-president-aoun-washington-trump-meeting