Trump orders US airlines to resume direct flights to Lebanon after White House meeting with president
President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced he is directing his administration to allow all U.S. airline carriers to fly to Lebanon following a White House meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, saying the move will make it easier for Americans to visit the country.
In a Truth Social post after the meeting, Trump praised Aoun for "working to transform his Country" and said he was directing his administration to allow all U.S. airline carriers to "fly directly to Lebanon so that Americans can easily visit this beautiful land."
"After meeting with the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, who has done a remarkable job working to transform his Country, I am hereby directing my Administration to allow all U.S. airline carriers to fly directly to Lebanon so that Americans can easily visit this beautiful land," Trump wrote. "Hopefully, other Countries will do the same. Enjoy!"
Speaking alongside Aoun in the Oval Office earlier Tuesday, Trump called Lebanon "a country of great intellect" and vowed the U.S. would "help it a lot," while hinting at additional moves beyond his announcement on direct flights. "We've already solved some of them for Lebanon," Trump said. "As you know, there's a Hezbollah problem. But we've done some things that I think the world will take notice."
The announcement marks another step in the Trump administration's efforts to strengthen ties with Lebanon following months of U.S.-backed diplomacy aimed at reducing Hezbollah's influence and increasing regional stability.
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy took to social media after the president's announcement, writing on X, "You got it, Mr. President."
The announcement comes after months of U.S.-backed diplomacy between Lebanon and Israel as the Trump administration has sought to reduce Hezbollah's influence and bolster regional stability.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the agreement "a severe blow to Iran," while U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described it as a "historic opportunity," adding that disarming Hezbollah remained essential to any lasting peace.
Aoun thanked the Trump administration for helping facilitate negotiations and supporting Lebanon during the talks.
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for additional comment, including on the timeline for implementing the policy.
Fox News Digital's Benjamin Weinthal contributed to this reporting.
