Trump, Aoun Hold White House Talks on Lebanon’s Security, Military Support and Regional Stability
US President Donald Trump announced the resumption of direct flights between Lebanon and the United States during a joint press conference with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday, in a move that could mark a significant shift in bilateral ties after more than four decades of suspended air links.
The announcement came during Aoun's first visit to Washington by a Lebanese president since 2009, with the two leaders also discussing US military support for Lebanon, the implementation of the Washington framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, and the security situation in southern Lebanon.
Trump said Washington had clear plans to support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and would help Lebanon address many of its longstanding challenges, adding that talks included the pilot phase of the framework agreement in southern Lebanon and the army's deployment to areas from which Israeli forces are expected to withdraw.
We will help Lebanon a lot and treat it with respect, Trump said, describing Aoun as highly respected and adding that Lebanon had been mistreated for a long time. He also said Israel was in the process of withdrawing from the south and suggested further progress would become clear soon.
Aoun urged Trump to maintain US support for the Lebanese army, describing it as the pillar of stability in the country and saying he had requested continued political backing from Washington. He reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to the Washington framework agreement with Israel, saying its ultimate goal was to end hostilities between the two countries permanently.
The time has come for Lebanon and the entire region to enjoy peace and security, Aoun said, adding that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri supported efforts to end hostilities and had played an important role in advancing negotiations.
Lebanese media had earlier reported that discussions over reopening direct air links reflected growing US confidence in Lebanon's security institutions, particularly those responsible for protecting Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport.
Direct flights between the two countries have been suspended since 1985, when Washington halted air links following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 and amid security concerns during the Lebanese civil war.
Any resumption of services would still require extensive US technical and security assessments, including reviews of airport infrastructure, screening procedures, aviation safety systems and cooperation between Lebanese and American authorities.
If implemented, the move would provide a major boost for Lebanon's large diaspora in the United States and Canada, reducing travel times, encouraging tourism and investment, and strengthening commercial ties as Lebanon seeks to revive its crisis-hit economy.
