Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on US President Donald Trump to support 'turning the page on wars, tragedies and pain,' ahead of an anticipated meeting between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the United States.

Aoun said in a congratulatory message to Trump on the 250th anniversary of US independence: 'We appreciate your efforts in this regard, and we urge you to continue standing firmly by Lebanon's rightful and just causes, and by its institutions, army, and people, so that we may turn the page on wars, tragedies and pain, and open a new chapter of hope, peace and stability.'

Israel is seeking US approval to resume fighting in southern Lebanon and expand its influence to a strategic hill east of the city of Nabatieh. Israeli sources revealed to Channel 15 that Netanyahu is awaiting a green light from Trump to take control of a Hezbollah base carved into the heights of the strategic 'Ali al-Taher' area.

A Lebanese source said that Netanyahu is continuing to apply pressure through fire on Lebanon, and is currently threatening to target 'Ali al-Taher hill' in order to improve his conditions ahead of the elections.

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Aoun preempts Trump-Netanyahu meeting with a call on the US president to support Lebanon