Lebanon's Aoun to meet Trump, hoping to generate pressure on Israel

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will visit the White House this week to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, marking the first visit by a Lebanese head of state in nearly 20 years. Aoun plans to present a proposal for disarming the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and securing Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon. He will ask Trump to "exert the necessary pressure on Israel" to implement a U.S.-brokered June 26 framework agreement aimed at Hezbollah's disarmament, progressive Israeli troop withdrawal, and establishing peaceful ties.

• Aoun's visit comes at a critical time, with Israeli troops occupying parts of southern Lebanon and Hezbollah rejecting direct talks with Israel.
• A Lebanese official indicated Aoun believes only Trump has the leverage to pressure Israel to withdraw and help Lebanon restore sovereignty.
• Aoun, who became president last year, has previously vowed to affirm "the state's right to a monopoly on arms" and has criticized Hezbollah for initiating a recent war with Israel.
• Despite calling for direct talks with Israel, Aoun has not agreed to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.