Beirut / Anadolu Agency

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Washington on Saturday at the start of an official visit during which he will meet his US counterpart Donald Trump.

The National News Agency reported in a statement that Aoun and the first lady of Lebanon, Neemat Aoun, arrived at "Andrews Air Force Base in Washington" at the start of an official visit at the invitation of Trump.

According to the agency, "Aoun is scheduled to begin his official meetings tomorrow (Sunday) with a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trump will receive him before noon next Tuesday at the White House."

President Aoun will also have, according to the agency, "a series of meetings with members of the Senate and officials in the US administration."

Earlier on Saturday, the Lebanese presidency said in a statement that Aoun left Beirut accompanied by his wife Neemat Aoun, heading to Washington.

The presidency explained that the visit comes in response to an invitation from US President Trump, noting that a Lebanese-American summit will be held at the White House, without specifying its date.

It stated that Aoun will discuss with US officials the situation in Lebanon, ways to consolidate the ceasefire and restore security and stability to the country, in addition to the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Lebanese areas it occupies, and the extension of state authority over all areas.

On July 8, Aoun said, according to a presidency statement at the time, that his visit to Washington reflects the unprecedented American interest in Lebanon, and its support for the path to reaching a permanent solution to the series of Israeli wars and attacks on Lebanon, and achieving stability in the Middle East region.

Aoun expected then that his visit to Washington and his upcoming meeting with his US counterpart would bring positives for Lebanon.

The visit comes amid the ongoing Israeli aggression on Lebanon, despite the "framework formula" signed by Beirut and Tel Aviv under US sponsorship on June 26, 2026, which stipulates a gradual Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories, starting with the implementation of a model in two unspecified pilot areas.

The formula did not include a timeline for withdrawal, and linked its completion to the Lebanese army assuming full security responsibility in the areas from which Israeli forces withdraw, along with the disarmament of armed groups, in reference to "Hezbollah."

Since March 2, 2026, Israel has continued its aggression on Lebanon, resulting in the killing of 4,328 people and the injury of 12,227 others, in addition to the displacement of more than one million people, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, some for decades, and others since the previous war between October 2023 and November 2024.