President Aoun’s meeting with Trump "in preparation"... what about Netanyahu?

An official source told Ad-Diyar that “work is underway to arrange a meeting between President of the Republic Joseph Aoun and U.S. President Donald Trump,” noting that the matter is “under preparation and subject to diplomatic and political work,” within the framework of ongoing contacts between Beirut and Washington regarding the negotiations file and the Lebanese situation in general.

As for reports about the possibility of a meeting between President Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the source was unequivocal, saying that “this is not on the table and will not happen,” reiterating that “any talk of a meeting of this kind has no basis at the current stage.”

The source explained that “Lebanon’s priority today is to consolidate the ceasefire, secure the withdrawal of the Israeli army, ensure the return of residents, and begin reconstruction, not to enter into any political or symbolic tracks that are being exaggerated in the media.”

However, he pointed out at the same time that “if the negotiations are concluded and a final agreement is reached, and if the nature of the agreement or international and regional circumstances require something specific, then everything becomes open to discussion within the framework of the Lebanese state’s interest and its official decision.”

Speaking about how any potential understanding would be implemented on Lebanese territory, the source said that “if these negotiations succeed in achieving Lebanon’s demands, from a ceasefire to withdrawal, the return of residents, and reconstruction, then what will be required is the cooperation of الجميع داخل لبنان to make the new phase succeed,” adding: “If Hezbollah cooperates, that would be a good thing; if it does not, then it will have to bear responsibility before the entire Lebanese people,” considering that any “party that obstructs a real opportunity to end the war and consolidate stability will bear responsibility for that before the Lebanese.”

On the internal security front, the official source stressed that “the Lebanese state is engaged in a serious confrontation against organized crime, and security and safety remain stable across most Lebanese territory,” considering that Lebanon “remains among the safest countries in the region, and even globally when compared with the surrounding circumstances,” noting that “around 90 percent of crimes that occur are solved and their perpetrators pursued.”