Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has secured political backing from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, as well as security guarantees from the United States, to advance a framework agreement with Israel, diplomatic officials said, Israel Hayom reports.
The report says the United States, with indirect assistance from Israeli intelligence officials and other regional and Western partners, is helping provide a security umbrella for Aoun and senior members of the Lebanese government who support the agreement with Israel.
According to a senior diplomatic source in the Gulf, Aoun consulted with several regional leaders, including United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and received their approval for the diplomatic initiative. Qatar did not participate in this round of consultations.
The report says Saudi backing is particularly significant given Riyadh's previous efforts to maintain dialogue with Tehran despite regional tensions. In return, Aoun is expected to receive commitments of Gulf investment aimed at supporting Lebanon's struggling economy.
According to two diplomatic sources, Washington has also provided guarantees regarding the continuity of Aoun's government and the personal safety of senior officials backing the agreement, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi. Lebanon has reportedly strengthened security measures for senior officials amid concerns over political violence, recalling a history of assassinations attributed to the former Syrian government and Hezbollah.
One diplomatic source told Israel Hayom that Israeli operations against Hezbollah, including the pager operation and the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, his successors, and senior military commanders, significantly weakened the group's ability to threaten political opponents. The source said these developments were among the key factors enabling the Lebanese leadership to pursue the diplomatic initiative with Israel.
The report also says Aoun hopes the diplomatic breakthrough will unlock broader Western financial support. While the United States and the European Union have already pledged funding, training, and equipment for the Lebanese Armed Forces, Beirut is also seeking grants and loans from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, assistance that had reportedly been stalled due to Hezbollah's influence over state institutions, political instability, and longstanding governance concerns.
By Vafa Guliyeva
