President Donald Trump spoke by phone with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and congratulated him on the signing of a framework agreement with Israel, according to American and Lebanese officials as reported by Barak Ravid (N12). The call underscores ongoing U.S. diplomatic engagement following a series of high-level contacts this week.
President Donald Trump spoke by phone Saturday evening with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and congratulated him on the signing of a framework agreement with Israel, according to American and Lebanese officials as reported by Barak Ravid (N12).
The call follows a series of recent diplomatic contacts between the U.S. and Lebanese leadership. As The Zioneer reported on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Aoun discussed the plan to disarm Hezbollah and the ceasefire with Israel in a call earlier in the week. On Monday, Aoun also spoke with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Trump envoy Jared Kushner, and Qatar's Prime Minister on the ceasefire.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also welcomed the ceasefire agreement Saturday, calling it a significant achievement for Israel. In a statement, Smotrich said that thanks to IDF operations and reserve soldiers, the security concept has shifted, Hamas and Hezbollah were severely beaten, Iran has been weakened, and Israel enjoys legitimacy to continue security operations. "We will continue to strengthen Israel's security," he said.
The framework agreement with Lebanon follows a broader regional context including reports of a wider U.S.-Iran understanding that also covers Lebanon, as reported by The Zioneer in recent weeks. Hezbollah this week welcomed the ceasefire but pledged to work for an Israeli withdrawal, and Lebanese officials have outlined a plan for Hezbollah's disarmament. The status of the detailed talks scheduled for next week remains unclear after this latest high-level contact.
3 developments
- DevelopingLebanese President Joseph Aoun speaks with Iranian FM Araghchi after MOU announcement
- DevelopingLebanese Army chief Joseph Aoun hails US-Iran MOU, says people expect practical steps
- DevelopingLebanese President Aoun speaks with US VP Vance, Kushner, and Qatar PM on ceasefire
- DevelopingLebanese President Aoun: talks in Washington continue, separate from US-Iran track
Source and signal
- Internal intake