Lebanon President discusses implementation of US-brokered truce deal

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is advancing negotiations to implement a trilateral framework agreement reached in Washington between Lebanon, Israel, and the United States. During a meeting in Beirut with US General Joseph Clearfield, head of the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon (MCG4L), discussions focused on the procedures required to restore Lebanese sovereignty and dismantle Hezbollah's infrastructure.

President Aoun stated that negotiations are making progress and noted that the scale of Israeli attacks has decreased since the agreement was signed. He emphasized that the ultimate goal is the full withdrawal of Israeli forces and the return of prisoners. However, he maintained that Lebanon will not allow any Israeli presence to remain on its territory.

Implementation remains complex. Under the US-brokered plan, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have begun deploying into southern pilot zones to assert state control and clear unexploded ordnance. While the US State Department described recent talks as “productive,” challenges persist. Israel has reportedly expressed skepticism regarding the pace of Hezbollah's disarmament, while Lebanese officials have raised concerns over ongoing localized military activities that hamper civilian returns and normalization.