Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jul 29: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's recent meeting with US President Donald Trump has highlighted renewed international efforts to strengthen Lebanon's state institutions, curb Hezbollah's military influence and promote long-term regional stability, even as challenges remain on the ground.
The talks, held at the White House last week, focused on the implementation of a US-brokered framework between Lebanon and Israel. Key issues included the disarmament of Hezbollah, strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and facilitating Israel's gradual withdrawal from parts of southern Lebanon.
During the meeting, Aoun described the broader objective as ending decades of hostility between Lebanon and Israel, while emphasising the importance of restoring state authority and ensuring lasting peace.
As part of the agreement, Lebanese army units have begun taking control of selected areas in southern Lebanon following Israeli withdrawals. The pilot initiative is aimed at assessing whether the LAF can effectively maintain security and prevent the return of armed groups outside state control.
Political observers believe the success of the initiative will depend on continued support from international partners, particularly the United States, as well as cooperation between Lebanon and Israel in implementing the agreed framework.
Analysts also noted that the next phase will rely on the Lebanese army's ability to establish sustained control, Israel's confidence that Hezbollah will not rebuild its military infrastructure, and continued international political and financial backing.
The issue extends beyond Hezbollah's missile arsenal, with concerns also being raised over the group's wider military, financial and organisational network operating outside the authority of the Lebanese state.
The Washington meeting also resulted in a significant diplomatic announcement, with President Trump directing his administration to allow US airlines to resume direct commercial flights to Lebanon for the first time since 1985. While regulatory approvals and airline decisions are still required before flights can begin, the move is being viewed as a sign of renewed international confidence in Lebanon.
Observers believe the restoration of direct flights could encourage tourism, business and investment if the country's security situation continues to improve.
Meanwhile, regional efforts to disrupt Hezbollah's supply network have intensified. Syrian authorities have reported multiple seizures of weapons allegedly destined for Hezbollah, including missiles, anti-tank weapons and drones intercepted near the Iraqi border. Hezbollah has denied the allegations.
Security experts, however, caution that Hezbollah's logistics network stretches across several countries, and disrupting one supply route alone may not significantly weaken its operational capabilities without sustained cooperation from Syria, Iraq and other regional stakeholders.
Despite growing international support for Lebanon's efforts to strengthen state institutions, analysts warn that the success of the initiative will ultimately depend on implementation. The gradual expansion of Lebanese army control, continued Israeli withdrawal, restrictions on Hezbollah's military infrastructure and regional cooperation to curb arms smuggling will all be critical in determining whether the country can move towards lasting stability.
The Aoun-Trump meeting is being viewed as an important diplomatic step that has brought together multiple objectives, including strengthening Lebanon's sovereignty, restoring investor confidence, improving regional security and creating conditions for a more stable future in the conflict-hit nation.