What will Aoun discuss with Trump in Washington?
President Joseph Aoun is preparing a comprehensive file ahead of his pivotal talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, including Lebanon's requests for international economic aid and a reconstruction fund - under the exclusive supervision of the Lebanese state, pro-Hezbollah al-Akhbar newspaper reported Friday.
Aoun would also request additional support for the Lebanese Armed Forces.
According to Aoun's visitors and advisors, the President considers Hezbollah to be highly weakened and entirely directed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which itself is currently divided, al-Akhbar said, adding that Aoun believes that the army can execute what has already been decided in cabinet concerning Hezbollah's disarmament and does not need any new cabinet decree. Thus, the President, according to al-Akhbar's report, is not willing to submit a recently reached framework agreement with Israel to the cabinet.
The daily claimed that Aoun is trying to avoid a debate in cabinet that could obstruct the implementation of the agreement and prefers to wait until tangible progress is made toward drafting a comprehensive final deal.
Information Minister Paul Morcos said Thursday that the final deal will be sent to cabinet for approval.
"We are still dealing with a preliminary framework. At this stage, and in accordance with Article 52 of the Constitution, we have not yet reached the point that legally mandates its formal submission to these (constitutional) bodies."
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