Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun delivered an unusually blunt assessment of Hezbollah during a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House several weeks ago, according to Lebanese media reports.
The Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, which is considered close to Hezbollah and the Shiite axis, reported on the exchange that took place during Aoun's Washington visit. In the conversation, the Lebanese leader reportedly used stark medical imagery to describe the Iran-backed terror organization's presence in his country.
"Hezbollah is the cancer from which Lebanon suffers," Aoun told Trump, according to the reports. "It cannot be treated with painkillers, partial solutions, or failed dialogue, but only through its complete destruction!"
The forceful language marks a significant public stance by Lebanon's president against the powerful Shiite militia, which maintains an armed presence in the country and wields considerable political influence. Hezbollah, designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and several other countries, has long been a dominant force in Lebanese politics and society.
