Lebanon's Aoun pledges Israel deal implementation in Trump call
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun pledged on Saturday, 28 June that the Lebanese state would assume full responsibility for implementing the US-brokered framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, during a phone call with US President Donald Trump, according to a statement issued by the Lebanese presidency.
What Aoun Sought from Washington
Beyond the pledge, Aoun urged the United States to play an active role in preventing violations of the agreement and ensuring that all commitments under the deal are honoured. Crucially, he pressed for Washington to push Israel to withdraw from areas it currently occupies in southern Lebanon, a precondition for deploying the Lebanese army up to the internationally recognised border.
Trump's Commitments on the Call
Trump reaffirmed Washington's support for Lebanon and its people, pledging to work toward implementing the deal and restoring security and stability across the country. He stated that the United States would back Lebanon's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and support the extension of state authority through its armed forces across Lebanese territory. At the close of the call, Trump said he looked forward to hosting Aoun in Washington in the near future.
The Framework Agreement: What It Contains
The agreement was announced on Friday, 27 June by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio following the latest round of ambassador-level talks in Washington, D.C. Rubio described it as a foundation for 'lasting peace and security' between the two nations. 'Today is a good day in that we are happy to announce the — a framework agreement between the sovereign Government of Lebanon and of course the Government of Israel, with the mediation and support of the United States of America, that begins to put in place a framework for lasting peace and security. And that's what these two nations deserve,' Rubio said at the signing ceremony.
The framework calls for implementation of a fragile ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, aims to restore Lebanon's sovereignty, dismantle Hizballah's military infrastructure, and enable Israeli forces to return to their borders once security threats are removed.
Context and What Comes Next
This comes amid longstanding tensions over Israel's military presence in southern Lebanon and the unresolved status of Hizballah's armed wing, which has been a central sticking point in prior ceasefire arrangements. The latest framework marks a more structured diplomatic effort than earlier informal understandings, with the United States taking a direct mediation role. The deployment of the Lebanese army to the southern border remains a key benchmark for whether the agreement translates into durable stability. All eyes will now be on whether Israel moves toward the withdrawal Beirut has demanded and whether Washington applies sufficient pressure to make that happen.