Aoun and US general discuss preparations for implementing deal with Israel

What Happened

President Joseph Aoun met with U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Keith Hannigan, and Chief of Staff of the 2024 ceasefire mechanism team General Joseph Clearfield at Baabda Palace on Monday to discuss preparations for implementing a trilateral framework agreement signed on Friday between Lebanon, Israel, and the United States. The agreement seeks to end hostilities after Hezbollah rocket fire in March triggered Israeli airstrikes and a ground invasion, committing Lebanon to restoring sovereignty through 'verified disarmament of non-state armed groups and dismantlement of associated infrastructure' and enabling a progressive Israeli withdrawal. Aoun emphasized the Lebanese state's determination to extend its authority to the southern international border via its armed forces, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced $30 million in reimbursement for the Lebanese army to improve its capability and capacity.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The high-level meeting underscores a U.S.-backed push to separate Lebanon from the broader Iran-linked conflict by empowering the Lebanese Armed Forces and securing verified Hezbollah disarmament, a core demand of the framework. Hezbollah's outright rejection of the agreement, coupled with its reservation of self-defense after Israeli attacks, signals deep contestation over the ceasefire's implementation. This standoff risks stalling the process or reigniting hostilities, while the U.S. financial commitment tests the Lebanese military's willingness and capacity to assert control over Hezbollah's infrastructure south of the Litani.

Watch For

Concrete steps by the Lebanese Armed Forces to begin verified disarmament operations under the security annex, as this will indicate the state's practical commitment to the framework over Hezbollah's objections. Monitor Hezbollah's military response to any Israeli violations of the ceasefire, which could derail the agreement. Additionally, watch for the deployment of the $30 million U.S. reimbursement to the Lebanese army and whether it translates into enhanced operational capacity along the southern border.