Washington, July 21 (IANS) President Donald Trump’s senior adviser for Arab and Middle Eastern affairs, Massad Boulos, said on Tuesday that the US-backed agreement between Lebanon and Israel had entered the implementation phase, describing it as a historic breakthrough that would unfold gradually under close coordination among the United States, Lebanon and Israel.
Washington, July 21 (IANS) President Donald Trump’s senior adviser for Arab and Middle Eastern affairs, Massad Boulos, said on Tuesday that the US-backed agreement between Lebanon and Israel had entered the implementation phase, describing it as a historic breakthrough that would unfold gradually under close coordination among the United States, Lebanon and Israel.
Speaking to reporters after Trump’s White House meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Boulos said both leaders had developed “very good chemistry” during talks that focused on security, economic cooperation and support for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).
“There was a very good chemistry between the two presidents,” Boulos said.
“It went very well. It was very productive, and they touched on some very important points, including support of the LAF and some other aspects as well, including economic cooperation and others.”
Boulos said the administration’s immediate priority was implementing the framework agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel, which he described as the first agreement between the two countries since the 1949 Armistice Agreement.
“This is indeed a historic agreement,” he said.
“This is the first time actually the two countries have actually signed an agreement since 1949.”
He cautioned, however, that implementation would be gradual rather than immediate.
“It’s all about implementation,” Boulos said. “It’s going to take time. This is not easy. Nobody believes for a second that this is going to be an easy task in any way. It will take time, but we’re determined. President Trump is absolutely determined to see this through.”
Addressing questions about the redeployment of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, Boulos said the process was proceeding according to the framework agreement through coordinated steps rather than a fixed timetable.
“There is a very good and excellent coordination actually happening as we speak between CENTCOM and the Lebanese armed forces and the IDF,” he said.
“Things are moving in the right direction; we’re going to see this gradual implementation.”
He said the agreement incorporates a verification mechanism designed to ensure that each phase is completed before the next begins.
“There is a verification mechanism as well.”
Boulos also linked Israeli redeployment to the dismantling of Hezbollah’s military presence.
“There are two aspects. There’s the disarmament, and then there’s the withdrawal, and they go hand in hand, step by step, in sequence.”
He described the use of “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon as “a brilliant concept” that allows both sides to implement the agreement in phases.
Asked about US leverage over Hezbollah, Boulos declined to discuss specific options but said the administration had multiple tools available if needed.
“There are always tools that the president has at his disposal.”
For now, however, he said Washington remained focused on ensuring the agreement succeeds.
“We just see this mechanism, this framework… being implemented.”
Boulos also stressed that Washington recognised only Lebanon’s elected leadership as representing the country.
“President Joseph Aoun made it very clear that he represents the legitimate… representative of Lebanon and the Lebanese. So is his government,” he said.
“We respect the sovereignty of Lebanon.”
Rejecting suggestions that domestic political calendars could slow implementation, Boulos said the process would be driven by on-the-ground conditions rather than deadlines.
“It’s not about specific dates,” he said. “It’s a step-by-step process.”
The White House has implemented the framework agreement as a central element of its Lebanon policy. The agreement aims to expand the authority of the Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon, reduce Hezbollah’s military presence and facilitate a phased Israeli redeployment under US supervision.
Boulos said the framework goes beyond military arrangements because “the two countries have recognised each other and committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their respective parties”
–IANS
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