Lebanon President Joseph Aoun arrived in the US capital for an official visit at the invitation of President Donald Trump, but the welcome awaiting him at Andrews Air Force Base appeared far more restrained than the “significance” attached to the trip.
Aoun and First Lady Neemat Aoun were received by the Director of Protocol at the US State Department, the Air Force Base Commander, Lebanese Ambassador to Washington Nada Hamadeh Moawad, Lebanon’s UN envoy Ahmad Arafa, and embassy officials.
Missing from the arrival scene, however, were senior US administration figures, with the reception limited to protocol officials and diplomatic staff, a low-key start for a visit expected to include meetings with top American officials.
After a brief rest, Aoun and his delegation proceeded to their residence, where they met with Lebanese embassy staff and received briefings on the visit’s arrangements and the Lebanese community in the United States, the Lebanese Presidency announced in a statement.
وصل رئيس الجمهورية العماد جوزاف عون واللبنانية الاولى السيدة نعمت عون إلى قاعدة أندروز الجوية العسكرية في واشنطن في بداية زيارة رسمية إلى العاصمة الأميركية بدعوة من الرئيس الاميركي دونالد ترامب.
— Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) July 18, 2026
وكان في استقبال الرئيس عون والسيدة الاولى مدير المراسم في وزارة الخارجية الأميركية…
The Lebanese president is scheduled to begin his official meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday before heading to the White House for talks with President Trump, in addition to meetings with members of Congress and US officials, the Lebanese Presidency added.
For a visit carrying the label of a presidential invitation, the opening scene at Andrews Air Force Base offered a notably modest display — leaving observers to watch Joseph Aoun is seen as a “respected” head of state!
Source: Al-Manar English Website