Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called on the United States to stand by Beirut following a landmark agreement between Lebanon and Israel, mediated by Washington.

In a congratulatory message to President Donald Trump marking the US 250th Independence Day, Aoun urged Washington to “keep always standing beside Lebanon’s right and just causes, its institutions, army and people”.

He added that he hopes that Lebanon could “turn the page on wars … and open a new page of hope, peace and stability”.

The US Embassy in Lebanon also said in a post on X that it is “with great pride that we stand with the people of Lebanon as they forge a brighter future – one of peace, prosperity and promise long overdue”.

Last week, Israel and Lebanon signed a US-backed framework deal intended to permanently end the conflict with the Hezbollah armed group that is continuing in southern Lebanon.

The agreement includes calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the area, beginning with two pilot areas.

But Hezbollah has rejected the deal, which does not set out a timetable for an Israeli withdrawal.


-Al Jazeera