U.S. President Donald Trump promised substantial assistance for Lebanon and said Washington had concrete plans to strengthen its army during his first White House meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

Tuesday’s talks marked the first meeting between the two leaders and the first visit by a Lebanese president to Washington since 2009.

Trump acknowledged Lebanon’s long history of war, explosions and political instability, saying the United States would help address the country’s challenges and ensure that it received the respect it deserved.

“We will help him, and we will help him greatly,” Trump said alongside Aoun.

Support for the Lebanese Army

Assistance for the Lebanese Armed Forces was a central focus of the meeting. Trump said the United States had developed specific plans with international partners to help the army assume control of areas vacated by Israeli forces.

Aoun described the army as the backbone of Lebanon’s security and stability, arguing that it remains the country’s most trusted institution. He requested additional American political, military and logistical support to implement the new security arrangements.

The United States has provided the Lebanese military with more than $3 billion in security assistance since 2006.

Beirut hopes to secure a new aid package involving the United States, Arab governments and European partners. The proposed assistance could include military equipment, economic investment and reconstruction support.

No Timetable for Israeli Withdrawal

Aoun described the framework agreement with Israel as a historic achievement and said its ultimate purpose should be to end the state of hostility between the two countries.

However, Trump did not provide a timetable for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory. He instead referred to an ongoing “redeployment” and praised the agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

The framework, reached with U.S. mediation on June 26, provides for a gradual Israeli withdrawal alongside the deployment of the Lebanese army.

Its first phase covers the southern villages of Froun, Srifa and Zawtar al-Gharbiya. If successful, the model could be expanded to additional areas through a step-by-step process.

Under the arrangement, Lebanese forces would enter evacuated locations, dismantle unauthorized military infrastructure and prevent Hezbollah from restoring an armed presence.

Trump said his administration would examine an incident in which Israeli forces allegedly opened fire near Lebanese troops attempting to deploy in one of the designated areas.

Hezbollah’s Weapons

The future of Hezbollah’s arsenal remains one of the most sensitive issues surrounding the agreement.

Lebanon argues that disarmament cannot be imposed by force without risking internal conflict. Aoun’s approach links the gradual concentration of weapons under state authority to an Israeli withdrawal and an end to attacks on Lebanese territory.

Hezbollah and its allies have rejected the framework, maintaining that discussions over the group’s weapons cannot begin before Israel withdraws completely and ends its strikes on Lebanon.

Trump said he was open to speaking with Hezbollah and suggested that Syria could potentially contribute to efforts addressing the group’s weapons.

The U.S. president praised Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and said Damascus might be able to play an effective role. Aoun, however, insisted that the Lebanese army alone should be responsible for implementing the security provisions and extending state authority.

Domestic Opposition

Aoun also addressed reports that Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri opposed the agreement and feared it could create internal conflict.

The Lebanese president said the framework did not require parliamentary ratification because the constitution gives the presidency the authority to conclude such agreements.

He defended Berri as a statesman who supports ending the conflict but must navigate his position as a leading Shiite politician with close ties to Hezbollah.

Trump said he believed Berri would eventually support the process if the agreement produced visible progress.

Economic Recovery

The meeting also covered economic assistance, reconstruction and the possible restoration of direct flights between Lebanon and the United States.

Beirut wants security progress in southern Lebanon to be accompanied by investment in energy, technology, telecommunications and transportation. Lebanese officials argue that strengthening state authority requires economic opportunities as well as military measures.

Trump praised the Abraham Accords and predicted that additional countries would join them, but he did not publicly demand that Lebanon immediately normalize relations with Israel.

The meeting ended with a clear American commitment to assist Lebanon and strengthen its army. However, neither the value of the promised assistance nor a timetable for Israel’s complete withdrawal was announced.