Hariri stunned as Trump claims Lebanon army 'fighting Hizballah'

US President Donald Trump has warned Lebanon of the "menace" of Hizballah, despite its fighters working alongside the Lebanese troops in a joint military campaign in the Arsal region.

Trump told Prime Minister Saad Hariri during a meeting at the White House that Washington will continue to support the Lebanese army against "enemies" with the list including Hizballah.

"Lebanon is on the front lines in the fight against [the Islamic State group], al-Qaeda, and Hizballah. The Lebanese people, of all faiths, are working together to keep – and you know this, and we've been discussing this at great length – their country safe and prosperous," Trump told Hariri.  

This will come as a surprise to Hizballah militants fighting alongside the Lebanese military in eastern Syria's Arsal region against the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda.

Far from being enemies, the two sides appear to be fighting a coordinated campaign in the Hizballah-led offensive which has seen the tacit blessing of the Beirut government.

Hizballah are fighting on both sides of the border with the Lebanese army holding ground in Arsal to block a potential retreat of militants into the interior.

This did not stop Trump from pointing the finger at the Iran-backed Shia militia.

"Hizballah is a menace to the Lebanese state, the Lebanese people, and the entire region," Trump told the Lebanese prime minister.

"The group continues to increase its military arsenal, which threatens to start yet another conflict with Israel. With the support of Iran, the organisation is also fuelling humanitarian catastrophe in Syria."