'I would speak to Hezbollah': Trump makes surprise remark during Lebanese President's visit

The visit came as Lebanon seeks continued American support for its armed forces while pressing for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of southern Lebanon under a US-mediated arrangement. Asked about Israel's military presence, Trump said Israeli forces were "in the process of redeploying," though he did not provide a timeline.

The meeting, held in the Oval Office, marked the first visit by a Lebanese president to the White House since 2009. Photographs from the visit captured the leaders exchanging a handshake, meeting with senior officials and addressing reporters before private discussions began.

Trump used the opening remarks to signal continued US backing for Lebanon while acknowledging the country's long-running political and security challenges. "It's been a very badly treated place and country, and we're going to have it properly treated and treated with the respect it deserves," Trump said, adding, "We're gonna help it a lot."

Before the bilateral meeting, Trump said the two leaders would discuss the Lebanese army taking control of designated pilot zones and indicated he was open to an unusual diplomatic step if requested by Aoun. "I would speak to Hezbollah. I speak to everybody," Trump said. "If the president wanted me to speak to Hezbollah ... I would."

Much of the discussion centered on the Lebanese military's role in extending state authority in southern Lebanon under a US-backed framework intended to reduce tensions along the Israeli border. He also acknowledged the country's most pressing security challenge, telling reporters, "There's a Hezbollah problem."