Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Saturday called on the United States to stand with his country, after reaching a US-Israeli-backed accord aimed at ending hostilities after Israel’s latest war with Hezbollah.
The agreement reached in Washington calls for the disarmament of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia, the gradual withdrawal of Israel from southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army there, beginning with two “test” sites.
Hezbollah has rejected the plan, which does not set a timetable for Israel’s withdrawal.
In a congratulatory message to President Donald Trump to celebrate 250 years of American independence, Aoun called on Washington to “always stand by the rights and interests of Lebanon, its institutions, the army and the people”.
Aoun expressed hope that Lebanon can “open the page of war … and open a new page of hope, peace and stability”.
In a message also commemorating the anniversary of independence, the US embassy in Lebanon said on social media that “it is with great pride that we stand with the Lebanese people as they build a better future – one of peace, prosperity and outdated promises”.
