US President Donald Trump announced that his administration has directed all US airlines to resume direct flights to Lebanon, following his meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House, praising what he described as Aoun's efforts to change the country's direction.

Trump said in a post on the Truth Social platform that after his meeting with the Lebanese president, who "has done a great job in working to transform his country," he directed his administration to allow all US airlines to operate direct flights to Lebanon, so that Americans can easily visit this "beautiful country," expressing hope that other countries would follow the same step.

The announcement comes hours after discussions between the two presidents in Washington, covering bilateral relations, the implementation of the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, as well as support for the Lebanese army and enhancing stability in southern Lebanon.

Major support

Trump had affirmed during his reception of Aoun that the United States would provide major support to Lebanon, expressing confidence in the possibility of resolving a number of outstanding issues, including the Hezbollah file, and described the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel as "very good," considering that the Lebanese president may become "among the best leaders in the Middle East."

For his part, the Lebanese president expressed his appreciation for US support, describing his meeting with Trump as "very good." The Lebanese presidency said that Aoun wrote in the White House's golden book a message of thanks praising the US president's friendship and the support provided by the United States to Lebanon, its sovereignty, its legitimate institutions, and the Lebanese armed forces.

Aoun added, according to the statement, that he hopes the two countries will continue to work together for a future of peace, stability, dignity, and prosperity for the Lebanese and American peoples.

This development comes as steps begin to implement the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which stipulates the deployment of the Lebanese army in southern areas in parallel with a gradual Israeli withdrawal, and the restriction of weapons to the state, amid US efforts to support the implementation of security arrangements and enhance the capabilities of the Lebanese army.

Lebanese readiness

In this context, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the announcement by US President Donald Trump allowing US airlines to operate direct flights to Beirut, considering that the decision comes after the meeting between Trump and President Joseph Aoun at the White House.

Salam affirmed that the Lebanese government is ready to follow up on all necessary executive and technical procedures to implement the decision as quickly as possible, noting that this step represents an important opportunity to enhance travel and communication between Lebanon and the United States, as well as support the Lebanese economy.

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