Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is preparing to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington at the end of July to finalize the framework agreement with Israel and prepare for U.S. oversight in southern Lebanon, following a “positive” 17-minute phone call between the two leaders on Sunday, Aoun told Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar.

Aoun underscored he does not consider meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and will not accept it while Israeli attacks on civilians continue. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, at least 4,301 people have died and 12,199 have been injured since the start of Israel’s offensive

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Aoun acknowledged the June 26 agreement with Israel is “not ideal” and reflects the reality on the ground and the current balance of power in the south, which he said favors Israel. He described it as “a framework, not an agreement,” and said it will not prevent Lebanon from reclaiming its rights or recovering occupied territories. “No one should bet on the division of the Lebanese army, and I will not allow my people to die,” he added.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun:

– Israel’s withdrawal is the key to any genuine progress toward peace in Lebanon.

– Some parties are attempting to reignite sectarian strife in Lebanon.

– The suspension of legal cases between Lebanon and Israel applies only for the duration… pic.twitter.com/8E2hU0qRGY

— This Is Beirut (@ThisIsBeirut_) July 6, 2026

Lebanon and Israel reached the U.S.-mediated framework agreement in Washington on June 26 following several days of negotiations. Aoun also defended Lebanon’s decision to send a minister to the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, stating: “Our diplomatic relations with Iran continue and have not been broken.”

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