Dear Mr. President:

The Lebanese people have long regarded the United States as a partner in advancing stability, sovereignty, and prosperity in Lebanon and across the Middle East. Your leadership has contributed to reshaping regional dynamics in ways that now present a rare strategic opportunity to resolve longstanding conflicts and reinforce a durable framework for peace.

Recent developments have significantly altered the balance of power in Lebanon. Israeli operations under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have substantially degraded Hezbollah’s military capabilities and eliminated key elements of its leadership structure. This shift has created a meaningful window to reassert Lebanese state authority and address the longstanding issue of armed groups operating outside state control.

For decades, Lebanon’s sovereignty has been constrained by external actors and non-state militias (Armed Palestinians groups, the Syrian occupation, Iran/Hezbollah proxy etc…), undermining democratic governance and weakening national institutions. Despite the current opportunity, internal obstacles persist. The Lebanese Armed Forces leadership, under General Rudolph Haykal and the military council, has thus far not articulated or implemented a credible strategy to address Hezbollah’s parallel military structure. Absent such a plan, Lebanon risks missing a critical moment to restore full sovereignty. This underscores the need for leadership aligned with a clear national defense doctrine that consolidates all arms under state authority, so the replacement of Rudolph Haykal and his military council must be a first step.

At the same time, engagement with President Joseph Aoun remains essential. We believe that U.S. leadership can play a constructive role by encouraging a forward-looking approach that goes beyond the limited security arrangements President Aoun is calling for; this approach has been tried since 1949 and always failed. While interim security understandings may serve as an initial step, they should not become an endpoint. A growing number of Lebanese—both within the country and across the diaspora—support the pursuit of a comprehensive peace agreement with Israel, reflecting not only present-day strategic interests but also the deep historical ties between the two nations.

We, representing members of the Lebanese diaspora and partners within Lebanon, believe that a comprehensive and enforceable peace framework between Lebanon and Israel would significantly enhance regional security, economic recovery, and institutional stability. Building on prior diplomatic foundations (including the May 17, 1983, agreement), such a framework could be revisited and adapted to current realities.

Although discussions have begun on the ambassador level, which is a very good beginning, we respectfully urge you, Mr. President, to keep pressure on this process by playing an active role in facilitating a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Lebanon and Israel, in the presence of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as preparation for an eventual meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joseph Aoun in your presence, with the goal of signing a peace treaty.

This moment represents a strategic inflection point. With decisive leadership and coordinated international support, Lebanon can transition from a theater of proxy conflict to a pillar of regional peace and cooperation.

The Lebanese people, both at home and across the diaspora, remain committed to a sovereign, stable, and prosperous future aligned with these principles.

 Signed,

The American Mideast Coalition for Democracy

Cc: US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Moshe Sa’ar

Lebanese Foreign Minister, Youssef “Joe” Rajji

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun

US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee

Lebanese Ambassador to the US, Nada Hamadeh

US Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa

Israeli Ambassador to the US, Yechiel “Michael” Leiter 

Sr. Special Advisor to the US President, Dr. Massad Boulos