Trump hosts Lebanon's Aoun, says he is open to talks with Hezbollah if asked by Beirut

US President Donald Trump hosted Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House, marking the first visit by a Lebanese president in over 17 years. Trump pledged continued US support for Lebanon and stated he was open to talks with Hezbollah if requested by Aoun. Key discussion points included:

• Disarming the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
• Securing a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, which Aoun called "an essential step to consolidate stability."
• US support for the Lebanese army, reconstruction, economic recovery, and American investment.

Trump emphasized the US-Lebanon relationship, stating, "It's been a very badly treated place and country, and we're going to have it properly treated, and treated with the respect that it deserves." The meeting occurred as Lebanese troops began taking control of territory vacated by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, a test of a US-brokered agreement aimed at disarming Hezbollah and facilitating Israeli withdrawal.