Baba UmarWashington DC — Massad Boulos, President Donald Trump's adviser on Middle East affairs, has told reporters that the Oval Office meeting between President Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun went well and focussed on what he hailed as "the first formal agreement between the two countries (Israel and Lebanon) since 1949."
Boulos told media at the White House on Tuesday that there was "very good chemistry between the two presidents" and described the discussion as "very productive."
Boulos — a Lebanon-born American businessman and father-in-law of Trump's daughter Tiffany — emphasised that the meeting between the two leaders focused heavily on implementing a new framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
"It’s all about implementing this agreement, which is historic," Boulos said. "It is the first time the two countries have signed an agreement since 1949." "It’s an excellent start," he added.
Boulos played a highly visible role in President Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, successfully courting Arab and Muslim American voters in critical swing states such as Michigan. Following the election, Trump appointed him as his Senior Adviser for Arab and Middle Eastern affairs, as well as Senior Adviser for Africa.
Boulos, meanwhile, also highlighted Trump's support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and for economic cooperation between Washington and Beirut.
He noted that the trilateral agreement signed last month includes mutual recognition of each country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Boulos acknowledged past failed attempts, including the 1983 agreement, but stressed that the current framework is already being implemented step by step.
"There is a verification mechanism," he said. "We have to give it a chance. It has to work and it's going to work."
When asked about the destruction of religious sites in Lebanon by Israel, Boulos said Christians in the country continue to have an important role.
"They have a huge role to play," he said. "Their role is not diminished in any way."
Earlier, Aoun, the first Lebanese president invited to Washington since 2009, requested political support and continued backing from Trump for the Lebanese military, which has begun deploying in southern areas under a US-backed framework deal with Israel.
Trump promised during the meeting with Aoun that Lebanon had been hit hard for decades and that Washington would help the country going forward.
On Hezbollah and US leverage
But the trilateral deal has been rejected by Iran-backed Hezbollah, which refuses to disarm, while there is no timetable for Israel's full withdrawal.
The Lebanese military has begun entering several villages as part of a "pilot zone" project under the deal, with Israeli occupation troops expected to withdraw from a small number of areas and the Lebanese army moving in to provide security.
Israel invaded Lebanon during its recent war with Hezbollah, and it has continued to occupy parts of the country despite a ceasefire.
Asked what leverage the US has over Hezbollah, Boulos replied that the Trump administration has multiple tools available and remains focused on enforcement of the agreement.
Boulos also cited previous Treasury Department actions, adding that the US leadership can deploy these options at any time.
"There are always options. There are always tools that the president has at his disposal that he can employ at any time," Boulos said.
"Nobody believes for a second that this is going to be an easy task in any way," Boulos said. "It will take time. But we are determined – President Trump is absolutely determined – to see this through. He is the president of peace, as we all know. And he is determined to see there is peace in the region, peace in the Middle East."
He said the upcoming elections in Israel would not directly affect the implementation of the Israel-Lebanon framework.
"There is no direct link," he said. "The agreement is an agreement that is going to be implemented step by step. It’s not a question of specific dates that are cast in stone."
"The two countries have recognised each other and committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their respective countries," Boulos said. "This is very, very significant."
Addressing reports of gunfire early on Tuesday involving Israeli forces and the Lebanese army, Boulos described the incident as "warning shots" and urged caution in drawing conclusions.
"There have been some statements issued. Let’s look at those statements before we rush to judgment," he said. Boulos reiterated that the process remains ongoing.
