ISTANBUL (AA)

Trump: Lebanon has been mistreated for a long time, and Israeli forces are in the process of redeploying to other areas.

Aoun: It is time for Lebanon to enjoy peace, and together we can achieve that.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday his readiness to talk with Hezbollah if his Lebanese counterpart, Joseph Aoun, asked him to do so.

This came during a press conference with Trump and Aoun at the White House, as part of the latter's visit to the United States that began on July 18.

Trump said: 'I will talk to Hezbollah. I talk to everyone, and I will talk to people who many think I shouldn't talk to, and things get resolved.'

He added: 'If President (Aoun) wants me to talk to Hezbollah, I will do it.'

In response to a question about the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from Lebanon, Trump claimed that Israeli forces are 'in the process of redeploying to other areas.'

He noted that Lebanon 'has been mistreated for a long time and deserves greater respect.'

He added: 'We will work to ensure Lebanon is treated properly and with the respect it deserves.'

On June 26, Beirut and Tel Aviv signed a 'framework agreement' under U.S. auspices aimed at ending the war on Lebanon and the withdrawal of the Israeli army.

The agreement stipulates a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory, starting with a pilot model in 'experimental areas,' with the Lebanese army assuming security responsibility in areas from which Israeli forces withdraw, alongside the disarmament of armed groups, in reference to Hezbollah.

Trump also noted that he has a very good relationship with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, adding that al-Sharaa 'has fought a war against Hezbollah for a long time. I think that will be very influential.'

In press remarks last June, the Syrian president expressed his rejection of engaging in any intervention against Hezbollah, saying: 'We are looking for economic lines between Lebanon and Syria, not military lines.'

Al-Sharaa added: 'Our proposal to the United States is based on the necessity of stopping the war.'

Al-Sharaa affirmed in a televised interview with the Lebanese private channel Al-Mashhad, Damascus's openness to dialogue with various Lebanese parties, including Hezbollah.

For his part, the Lebanese president said: 'I thank President Trump for his help in reaching this historic achievement by signing the framework agreement with Israel.'

He explained that 'the ultimate goal is to end the state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel forever.'

Aoun told Trump: 'It is time for Lebanon to enjoy peace, and together we can achieve that,' according to the Lebanese National News Agency.

He continued: 'It is time for Lebanon and the entire region to enjoy stability and security.'

Aoun noted that 'the Lebanese army needs support, and it is the backbone of stability in the country. It is doing its work, and I trust it and its leadership.'

He said he asked his American counterpart for political support, stressing that 'the time has come to realize President Trump's vision that peace should prevail in the region.'

On Monday, the U.S. State Department announced 'the start of operations in the experimental area in the villages of Frun, Sarifa, and Zoutar al-Gharbiyeh, according to the tripartite framework and under the auspices of the Special Military Coordination Group for Lebanon.'

Despite these developments, the Israeli army continued its violations of the agreement by carrying out a series of massive explosions in various areas in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese National News Agency.

Since March 2, 2026, Israel has continued its aggression on Lebanon, resulting in 4,328 killed and 12,230 injured, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, some for decades and others since the confrontations between 2023 and 2024, and it has penetrated more than 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory during the current aggression.