Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urges US support after US‑Israel peace pact

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on the United States to continue standing by Lebanon following a framework agreement reached in Washington with Israel on June 26 that aims for a "lasting peace" in southern Lebanon. The deal stipulates that the Lebanese army will restore authority in the south after Hezbollah disarms, and that Israeli forces will withdraw from pilot zones.

Aoun sent a congratulatory letter to U.S. Ambassador Donald Trump on the 250th anniversary of American independence, asking Washington to keep backing Lebanon’s army and its "just and equitable" goals. The U.S. embassy reiterated its support for the Lebanese people’s pursuit of peace and prosperity. The conflict, sparked by Hezbollah’s March 2 attack on Israel, led to an Israeli bombing campaign and ground operation that killed about 4,300 people. A cease‑fire has held since June 21, allowing over 600,000 displaced persons to return home, though many southern communities remain heavily damaged. Lebanon’s social affairs minister announced plans for prefabricated housing and rental subsidies to aid the remaining displaced, while intermittent Israeli strikes continue near the contested zone.