in-town pool 19 boulos quotes

With apologies for my recorder, which had trouble picking up his voice when he turned away from one side of the podium, here are some quotes from Massad Boulos, a Trump adviser on the Middle East, to reporters after the meeting between Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

OVERALL

Boulos told reporters that the Oval Office meeting went well, particularly in Trump’s support for Lebanese Armed Forces and for economic cooperation.

“There was a very good chemistry between the two presidents,” Boulos said. “It went very well. It was very productive.”

ISRAEL

Boulos was asked about what commitment of U.S. help Aoun received from Trump.

“It’s all about implementing this agreement, which is historic,” Boulos said. “It’s the first time the two countries have signed an agreement since 1949.”

“It’s an excellent start,” he added.

CHRISTIANS IN LEBANON

Boulos was asked about his message for Christians in Lebanon, given destruction of religious sites.

“They have a huge role to play,” Boulos said. “Their role is not diminished in any way.”

HEZBOLLAH

Boulus was asked about what leverage the U.S. has, if any, over Hezbollah.

“There are always options. There are always tools that the president has at his disposal that he can employ at any time,” Boulos said.

“It’s all about implementation. It’s going to take time. This is not easy. Nobody believes for a second that this is going to be an easy task in any way,” Boulos said. “It will take time. But we are determined – President Trump is absolutely determined – to see this through. He is the president of peace, as we all know. And he is determined to see there is peace in the region, peace in the Middle East.”

“There are many, many tools,” Boulos said. “You have seen already some of them by the Treasury Department, by other departments. The president and secretary of State have always said they have tools at their disposal that they may choose to take up at any time.”

ISRAEL

Boulos was asked if the fall elections in Israel affect the implementation of the framework.

“There is no direct link. The agreement is an agreement that is going to be implemented step by step. It’s not a question of specific dates that are cast in stone,” Boulos said. “There is a verification mechanism. We have to give it a chance. It has to work and it’s going to work. The president is fully determined to make sure it works.”

Boulos reiterated that the framework between Israel and Lebanon was the first agreement between the countries since 1949.

“There was an attempt in 1983. We all know what happened to that,” Boulos said. “But this one has already been launched officially now. It is being implemented. Let’s give it a chance. It’s very, very hard to talk about specific things because this is a process. There is a sequence so it’s a step-by-step process.”

“The two countries have recognized each other and committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their respective countries,” Boulos said. “This is very, very significant.”

GUNFIRE

Boulos was asked if there was a lack of trust on both sides, after gunfire erupted early Tuesday with Israeli forces firing on the Lebanese army while moving in.

“Those were some warning shots,” Boulos said. “There have been some statements issued. Let’s look at those statements before we rush to judgment.”

Bart Jansen

White House correspondent

USA TODAY