Aoun insists on UNIFIL and calls for European support.. CENTCOM commander visits Beirut

Lebanon-Israel framework: Rome meeting August 4 to expand pilot zones, with Lebanese reforms amid international support

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed his commitment to maintaining the UNIFIL presence in the south, and called on the EU to support the implementation of the framework agreement formula with Israel, as sources revealed an upcoming visit by the US Central Command chief to Beirut, and a meeting in Rome on August 4 to discuss expanding the pilot zones.

Aoun: Maintain UNIFIL or alternative force

Aoun said during his meeting with the EU ambassador to Lebanon that maintaining UNIFIL is the best option for the next phase, noting the possibility of creating an alternative force if needed, to assist the Lebanese army in clearing southern areas of unexploded ordnance and supporting the implementation of the “framework formula.”

Aoun called on EU countries to support the implementation of the formula, stressing that Lebanon’s stability reflects on the region’s stability, and affirming that it is time to end the war definitively.

Internal reforms, not a response to pressure

Aoun stressed Lebanon’s commitment to economic, judicial, and financial reforms, considering them an internal need rather than a response to external pressure, affirming that e-government and administrative modernization are key elements in combating corruption.

Aoun also described his meeting with President Trump as productive, covering the implementation of the formula, the Israeli withdrawal, and the army’s deployment in pilot areas, calling for European support to prevent obstruction of implementation.

For her part, the EU ambassador said Lebanon is at a crossroads, affirming the EU’s support for enhancing security and stability, building strong institutions, and implementing reforms.

الرئيس اللبناني جوزيف عون بعد لقائه سفيرة الاتحاد الأوروبي: ملتزمون بصيغة الاتفاق الإطاري مع إسرائيل والوقت حان لإنهاء الحرب بشكل نهائي pic.twitter.com/lVITYTJMYF

— العربية (@AlArabiya) July 24, 2026

US CENTCOM commander to visit Beirut soon

Meanwhile, informed Lebanese sources revealed that US Central Command commander Admiral Brad Cooper will visit Beirut in the coming days, days after the visit of General Joseph Cliverfield, head of the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon.

The sources said the visit aims to support the Lebanese army and verify its deployment in the two pilot zones and ensure they are free of any armed presence other than Lebanese military units.

Rome meeting August 4 to expand pilot zones

Sources expected that the Lebanese-US-Israeli meeting, political and military, scheduled in Rome on August 4, would be a key point for finalizing the expansion of pilot zones, reflecting the parties’ commitment to implementing the framework agreement’s provisions.

Aoun discusses security with interior minister

In a related context, President Aoun discussed security situations with Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar, reviewing security forces’ measures.

Al-Hajjar affirmed his support for the national efforts led by the president, expressing satisfaction with the positive atmosphere surrounding Aoun’s visit to Washington, describing the summit with Trump as a pivotal point in Lebanese-US relations.

Earlier, Lebanese media reported that President Aoun had asked President Trump during their White House meeting not to involve Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in the “Hezbollah weapons” file, affirming, according to those reports, that the issue is an internal Lebanese matter.

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