Could Washington witness the unprecedented scene of a Lebanese president sitting across from the Israeli prime minister? A report by Al-Akhbar has raised questions over a possible Joseph Aoun-Benjamin Netanyahu meeting during their visits to the US capital, amid reported efforts to bring the two sides together.
According to the Lebanese daily, Netanyahu is preparing to travel to Washington to attend the funeral of US Senator Lindsey Graham, coinciding with President Aoun’s visit to the US capital upon an invitation by the White House.
Al-Akhbar reported that Lebanese businessman Antoine Sehnaoui is attempting to convince Aoun to attend the funeral, arguing that Graham was a “friend of Lebanon and a supporter of efforts to dismantle Hezbollah.”
However, official Lebanese sources have denied that Aoun intends to participate in any event that could include Israeli officials, stressing that Beirut does not plan for such an engagement.
The report said Sehnaoui, along with a group of what the Lebanese daily ridiculed as “Lebanese in Washington,” is expected to attend the funeral, with possible meetings involving Israeli officials on the sidelines.
Al-Akhbar further reported that information circulated in Lebanese and foreign media outlets has pointed to a proposal for a meeting between Aoun and Netanyahu during the visit.
According to the newspaper, Aoun’s position is that current circumstances do not allow for such a meeting, but some political circles have not ruled out the possibility of pressure from US President Donald Trump to facilitate an encounter.
The report concluded by raising the question of whether Washington could witness a meeting between Aoun and Netanyahu, despite the Lebanese president “announced reservations” and the current political climate.
Source: Al-Akhbar newspaper (translated and edited y Al-Manar)