Trump Meets Aoun at White House as Israel-Lebanon Plan Advances

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House on Tuesday for the first such visit by a Lebanese president since 2009. The talks came as the U.S.-brokered Israel-Lebanon framework moved into its pilot-zone phase, with the Lebanese army deploying in southern villages and Israel adjusting its forces around Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh. Aoun sought American backing for the Lebanese army and continued Israeli withdrawals. U.S. officials said the pilot zones are intended to build confidence and prevent Hezbollah from restoring weapons or military infrastructure.