International Lebanon

During his meeting with Rubio, Aoun demands implementation of first Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon

And strengthening US support for the Lebanese army and military institutions, according to a statement from the presidency..

Naim Berjawi

19 July 2026 • Updated: 19 July 2026

photo: Lebanese Presidency "X" / AA

BEYRUT

Naim Berjawi / Anadolu

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun demanded on Sunday the implementation of a first Israeli withdrawal from his country, and strengthening Washington's support for the Lebanese army and military institutions, during his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The Lebanese presidency quoted Aoun in a statement as emphasizing, during his meeting with Rubio in Washington, "the necessity of aligning the Lebanese position with the American position regarding the implementation of the tripartite framework (between Lebanon, Israel, and the United States) by achieving a first Israeli withdrawal from the first model region."

Aoun also demanded "the necessity of strengthening US support for the Lebanese army and military institutions and taking the necessary steps to consolidate American interest in Lebanon on economic and investment levels in various sectors, especially energy, communications, and transportation."

The Lebanese statement quoted Minister Rubio as supporting President Aoun's positions and steps taken to "restore the sovereignty of the Lebanese state over all its territory, implement the tripartite work agreement, and revive Lebanon's role through the return of economic prosperity and the extension of state sovereignty over all its territory."

Rubio said: "Lebanon cannot be an annex to any other negotiating track (apparently referring to negotiations between Washington and Tehran) and Lebanese sovereignty can only be through a Lebanese decision issued by the Lebanese constitutional institutions," according to the Lebanese presidency statement.

** US statement

For its part, the US State Department said in a statement following Rubio's meeting with the Lebanese president that Rubio met with Aoun and the two sides discussed the implementation of the "tripartite framework."

The statement added that "the US Secretary of State reaffirmed his country's commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the tripartite framework, and supporting the Lebanese government's efforts to achieve peace, economic recovery, and build a better future for the Lebanese people."

He continued: "Rubio praised the courage of the Lebanese government, led by Aoun, for its strenuous efforts to restore Lebanon's sovereignty, disarm Hezbollah, dismantle its terrorist infrastructure, and move forward towards achieving peace," according to his expression.

Aoun began his official meetings in Washington, which he arrived on Saturday, with a meeting with Rubio at the US State Department building, according to the Anadolu correspondent.

On Saturday evening, Aoun arrived in Washington for an official visit lasting 4 days, during which he will meet US President Donald Trump on Tuesday at the White House.

Aoun is scheduled to hold a series of meetings with members of the Senate (the second chamber of Congress) and officials in the US administration, according to a previous statement by the Lebanese presidency.

** Tripartite framework

On July 8 of this month, 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 aggressions against Lebanon, and achieving stability in the Middle East.

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 application of a model in two unspecified pilot areas.

The formula did not include a timetable 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 deaths of 4,328 people and injuries to 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.