Aoun Rejects Netanyahu Meeting Before Washington Visit

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejected reports that he would meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the U.S.-backed Israel-Lebanon framework moves toward Washington follow-up talks. He said he is not considering such a meeting while Israeli operations continue in Lebanon and that, if placed in the same room as Netanyahu, he would leave immediately. The origin report said Aoun is preparing to visit the White House before the end of July and discuss the framework after Netanyahu meets Trump. The reports also note Hezbollah's opposition to the framework and its refusal to disarm under the agreement.