Trump affirme que les États-Unis ont des "plans concrets" pour aider davantage l'armée libanaise à faire face au Hezbollah

Lebanon's President Michel Aoun arrived at the White House on Tuesday for meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump, marking his first visit to Washington since assuming office last year. The high-level engagement comes amid ongoing tensions in southern Lebanon, where a fragile framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon remains unimplemented. Aoun is seeking Trump's endorsement to ensure the agreement is enforced, particularly regarding the Israeli military's planned withdrawal from two designated "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon. This move follows two days of U.S.-mediated talks in Rome that failed to establish a clear timeline for the agreement's execution. The framework agreement, signed on June 26, outlines a phased approach to Israeli troop withdrawals in exchange for Hezbollah's disarmament. However, key provisions remain contentious. Israeli forces have yet to fully comply with the agreement, citing concerns over Hezbollah's continued threat. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has categorically rejected the agreement, viewing it as a betrayal of its interests and a threat to its operational capabilities. Lebanese officials worry that Israel may exploit the ambiguity in the agreement to extend its military presence indefinitely, attaching additional security conditions to each phase of the withdrawal. Aoun's agenda includes pressing Trump for a reconstruction and relief package for southern Lebanon, which has suffered extensive damage from Israeli airstrikes. At least 4,250 people have been killed in Lebanon since March, according to government figures, with approximately one million others displaced. The Lebanese army has taken control of several villages previously held by Hezbollah, though incidents of Israeli fire near LAF positions have raised concerns about security. Aoun emphasized the importance of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as the cornerstone of national security, warning that without U.S. support, the country risks instability. Trump, during their meeting, expressed confidence in the LAF's growing capability to counter Hezbollah, stating the U.S. has "concrete plans" to aid the force in maintaining security in areas vacated by Hezbollah. He praised the LAF as a critical ally, noting the U.S. has provided over $3 billion in military assistance since 2006. Trump also reiterated his stance on the agreement, referring to the Israeli "redeployment" as synonymous with withdrawal, while emphasizing the need to prioritize Iran-related issues. Despite his public support for the agreement, Trump has shown limited willingness to directly pressure Israel, despite criticizing the scale of its military operations in Lebanon. Domestic opposition to the agreement is mounting among Lebanese political factions, who argue the framework imposes disproportionate obligations on Lebanon without sufficient guarantees from Israel. Critics highlight that the 14-clause agreement uses the term "redeployment" rather than "withdrawal," potentially allowing Israel to maintain a de facto military presence. Additionally, the agreement restricts Lebanon's ability to pursue legal action against Israel for wartime actions, raising concerns about accountability. Advocacy groups, including the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, have condemned the agreement as undermining Lebanese sovereignty and risking renewed conflict. The situation remains precarious, with both sides struggling to reach consensus. While Israel insists it will not leave Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed, Hezbollah continues to reject all forms of disarmament. The lack of progress in U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations adds another layer of complexity, with experts warning that sustained peace in Lebanon depends on broader regional stability. As Aoun returns to Beirut, the success of his diplomatic mission will hinge on whether Trump can leverage his influence to bridge the gap between Israel and Lebanon, ensuring the agreement moves beyond symbolic gestures toward tangible outcomes.