Lebanon President Aoun meets US CENTCOM chief on Israel agreement

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with U.S. Central Command commander Brad Cooper in Beirut to review the implementation of a framework agreement signed in Washington that envisions a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah. The discussions also involved Lebanese Armed Forces chief Rodolphe Haykal and highlighted a U.S. commitment of $30 million to bolster Lebanon’s military capabilities.

Despite the talks, Israel continues its attacks in the south, maintaining a self‑declared security zone, while Hezbollah has rejected the agreement, branding it a capitulation. The framework was endorsed by the U.S. State Department and noted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in statements accompanying the deal.