TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The US will allow direct flights to Lebanon, President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday.
It comes over 40 years after the US suspended direct flights between the two countries in 1985, during US President Ronald Reagan's administration, in the wake of the hijacking of TWA Flight 847.
"I am hereby directing my Administration to allow all US airline carriers to fly directly to Lebanon so that Americans can easily visit this beautiful land," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam hailed Trump's announcement. Salam said it "represents a significant opportunity to enhance travel and connectivity between Lebanon and the United States, and to support the Lebanese economy."
What did Trump say about the resumption of direct flights between the US and Lebanon?
The announcement comes after Trump hosted Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House on Tuesday.
During that meeting, Trump told Aoun that Lebanon had "been a very badly treated place and country and we’re going to have it properly treated and treated with the respect it deserves."
"We’re gonna help it a lot," he said, without providing specific details.
Lebanon appeals to US, Trump to help secure lasting peace
Washington has been mediating rare talks between Israel and Lebanon, but has become distracted in recent weeks by the resumption of full-scale hostilities between the US and Iran.
Aoun, who was making the first visit to the US capital by a Lebanese president since 2009, had traveled to Washington, D.C. to appeal for a longer-term, more stable peace in his country, which has been plagued by months of war between Israel and the Iran-backed, Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah.
Aside from the resumption of direct flights between the US and Lebanon, authorities in Beirut will be hoping that this week's talks in Washington yield an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, where Israel's ground forces have occupied swathes of territory as part of its campaign against Hezbollah.
Trump claimed Israel's military was "in the process of doing that. They’re in the process of redeploying," he said, without elaborating.
Israel is occupying southern Lebanon in what it says is an effort to protect northern Israeli communities from Hezbollah attacks. Israel, along with the US, Germany and some other countries, recognizes Hezbollah as a terror group.
Aoun hails Trump as 'great president'
Aoun, for his part, heaped praise on Trump, whom he called a "great president" whose "vision is peace."
"I do agree with that," Trump jokingly replied, calling Aoun handsome and someone who "knows how to get to me."
"Now he can have anything," Trump added.
Read: Israel Peace Deal Greeted with Skepticism, Fear in Lebanon
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Trump Ordered to Release Financial Records in US$10 Billion BBC Defamation Case
2 jam lalu
US federal judge orders Trump to disclose financial records linked to his business empire as part of his US$10 billion defamation lawsuit against BBC.
Spain Won the World Cup, but Donald Trump 'Cast a Shadow'
18 jam lalu
Though Donald Trump mostly stayed clear of stadiums, the World Cup may influence the US midterm elections.
Trump Responds to Calls for Netanyahu's Arrest in New York
19 jam lalu
Trump said Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu would not face arrest if he visits the United States.
Taking Stock of 2026 World Cup: Football's Biggest Show Yet
1 hari lalu
From a worthy champion to security concerns and surprises, what will we remember about the biggest World Cup yet?
Diplomatic Exchanges with US Ongoing Despite Strikes, Iran Says
1 hari lalu
Earlier, the US military hit Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defense facilities in the ninth round of strikes.
Two U.S. Troops Killed in Iranian Strike on Jordan Military Base
2 hari lalu
In response, President Donald Trump ordered retaliatory airstrikes against Iran on Saturday evening.
Trump Demands Canada Pay for Wildfire Smoke via Tariffs
3 hari lalu
US President Donald Trump proposes including the cost of air pollution from Canadian wildfires in import tariffs.
Canada Wildfires: Smoke Choking Major US Cities
4 hari lalu
Trump has blamed Canada for the wildfires and their impact on the US, threatening extra tariffs on the US neighbor.
5 Key Takeaways From Trump's Speech on Election Integrity
4 hari lalu
Here are the key takeaways from Donald Trump's speech on election integrity, foreign interference claims, and renewed calls for voting reforms.
China Refutes Trump's Claims of Election Interference
4 hari lalu
China on Friday denied U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that Beijing interfered in the U.S. election.
