Lebanese President Visits Washington as Israel Tests ‘Safe Zones’ in Southern Lebanon

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is in Washington on Monday for his first official visit to the United States since 2009. He will meet with President Donald Trump at a critical moment for Lebanon. Israeli forces currently occupy a large area of southern Lebanon. The occupation followed rocket attacks by Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia, on northern Israel. Israel insists that Hezbollah must disarm before it withdraws. The Lebanese army is likely unable to force that disarmament. In response, Israel has launched a “pilot programme” for “safe zones.” Under the plan, Israel hands control of three Lebanese villages to the Lebanese Army. The move is an attempt by Beirut to assert its authority over the region.