US President Donald Trump announced that he directed his administration to allow 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 course.

Trump said in a post on Truth Social that after his meeting with the Lebanese president, who "has done a great job 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 suit.

The announcement came hours after talks between the two presidents in Washington, which covered bilateral relations, the implementation of the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, as well as support for the Lebanese army and strengthening stability in the south of the country.

Wide US support for Lebanon

Trump stressed during his reception of Aoun that the United States would provide major support to Lebanon, expressing confidence that a number of outstanding files, including the Hezbollah file, could be resolved. He also described the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel as "very good," saying that the Lebanese president could become "among the best leaders in the Middle East."

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

Aoun added 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.

Context of the framework agreement

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

Lebanese readiness for implementation

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed Trump's announcement, considering that the decision is a direct result of the meeting between the two presidents at the White House. Salam stressed that the Lebanese government is ready to accompany all necessary executive and technical procedures to implement the decision as soon as possible, noting that this step represents an important opportunity to enhance travel and communication between Lebanon and the United States, as well as to support the Lebanese economy.