Joseph Aoun to Washington on July 21.. Lebanon condemns Iranian attacks on Gulf states
Visit of Joseph Aoun to Washington on July 21 to discuss framework agreement implementation
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is set to travel to Washington on July 21 for a meeting with US President Donald Trump, a visit that comes days after Lebanon and Israel signed a US-brokered “framework agreement.” Separately, Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf states.
White House invitation
Lebanon’s embassy in Washington announced that the White House extended an official invitation to President Joseph Aoun to visit the United States and meet with President Donald Trump on July 21.
The embassy said in a statement that the invitation for talks at the White House “reflects the enduring partnership” between the two countries, and provides an opportunity to discuss shared issues including bilateral relations, regional security, and continued US support for Lebanon.
Aoun explains reasons for choosing negotiations
The Lebanese president said in a series of statements that he chose negotiations to avoid standing by as Lebanon is “dragged toward the abyss in service of another country’s interests,” according to Aoun, adding that the negotiation step receives support from the majority of Lebanese, including the Shia community which “paid the heaviest price in the wars.”
Aoun explained that he needed to take a step that could stop the destruction and remove the Israeli presence ultimately, expressing hope that his visit to Washington and his meeting with the US president would bring “positives for Lebanon.”
Framework agreement and expected talks focus
The visit comes after Lebanon and Israel signed a US-brokered “framework agreement” in late June aimed at establishing a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, following several rounds of direct talks between the two countries in Washington.
Lebanon’s embassy said the visit comes after an intensive period of diplomatic work, coordinated with the Lebanese presidency and senior US administration officials, aimed at strengthening bilateral dialogue.
The talks between the two presidents are expected to focus on meeting the requirements of the framework agreement, including the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the extension of state authority in the country’s south, according to statements from the concerned parties.
أعلنت السفارة اللبنانية في واشنطن أن البيت الأبيض وجّه دعوة رسمية إلى الرئيس اللبناني جوزيف عون لزيارة واشنطن ولقاء الرئيس الأميركي دونالد ترامب في 21 يوليو/تموز.https://t.co/16p55URSXi pic.twitter.com/WDTH3hU2eA
— مكان الأخبار (@News_Makan) July 8, 2026
Israeli announcement of Rome talks and Lebanese denial
In a separate development, Israel announced a new round of talks with Lebanon next week in Rome, but Lebanese officials denied knowledge of this decision.
A source told The National newspaper: “We don’t know anything, the Israelis say this but we haven’t received any notification,” adding that Italian authorities were also surprised by the Israeli announcement.
Lebanon condemns Iranian attacks on Gulf states
In a separate context, Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry condemned Iranian attacks on Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain, considering them an assault on state sovereignty.
The Foreign Ministry affirmed in an official statement that these attacks constitute a threat to international maritime navigation security and global energy supplies, and a violation of international law and the UN Charter.
It expressed full support for the statement issued by the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, stressing that the security of Gulf states is an integral part of regional security.
It called for an immediate halt to these attacks and full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, affirming Lebanon’s support for the call to hold an urgent Security Council session.
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