Lebanon's president to meet Trump as US announces pilot zones for Israeli withdrawal

A pivotal meeting

Joseph Aoun is set to meet Donald Trump on July 21, seeking US backing for Lebanon's reconstruction and security. The meeting comes as Lebanon grapples with a shattered economy, the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, and the need to disarm Hezbollah. Economy minister Amer Bisat envisions Lebanese ports playing a role in Syria's reconstruction and attracting Gulf investment for pipelines bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

The region is being redrawn in many ways, and Lebanon has a huge role to play.

Pilot zones announced

On July 20, the US State Department named three villages (Froun, Srifa and Zawtar al-Gharbiya) as the first "pilot zones" where the Lebanese army will take over security from Israeli forces. The move is part of the US-mediated framework agreed on June 26 after six rounds of negotiations. Under the plan, Israel will perform a phased retreat, and the Lebanese Armed Forces will prove the areas are free of Hezbollah weapons.

This milestone is a direct outcome of last week's discussions between Israel and Lebanon in Rome.

Implementation doubts

Despite the announcement, local officials expressed scepticism. The mayor of Froun said "there have been no new developments" and "talk is just talk." Srifa's mayor was not informed about the pilot zones, stating "nothing has changed; today is the same as yesterday." A security source told Al Jazeera that the Lebanese army had not deployed to Zawtar al-Gharbiya because Israeli forces remain on the town's outskirts. The framework provides no timeline for Israel's withdrawal from the roughly one-fifth of Lebanese territory it occupies. Israeli officials have said they will stay 10km inside Lebanon as long as Hezbollah is armed.

Hezbollah's rejection

Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has rejected the framework and demands an unconditional Israeli withdrawal. The group continues to fire rockets into northern Israel, while Israel carries out attacks in Lebanon. The disarmament requirement remains a central sticking point.

Reconstruction and the port

In Beirut, the economy minister's optimism contrasts with the unrepaired port, destroyed in the 2020 explosion that killed more than 200 people. Politicians have stalled the investigation, and the port has yet to be fully rebuilt. Families of victims have kept a damaged grain silo as a memorial.