Washington, July 22, 2026 – The Europe Today: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the resumption of direct flights between the United States and Lebanon during a joint press conference with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, marking a potential breakthrough in bilateral relations after more than four decades without direct air links.
According to the Lebanese National News Agency, the announcement came during President Aoun’s first official visit to Washington by a Lebanese head of state since 2009.
The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral cooperation, including continued US military support for Lebanon, implementation of the Washington framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, and the security situation in southern Lebanon.
President Trump said the United States has “clear plans” to strengthen support for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), describing the army as a key partner in promoting stability and security. He said discussions also covered the pilot phase of the Washington framework agreement in southern Lebanon, including the deployment of Lebanese forces to areas from which Israeli troops are expected to withdraw.
The US president expressed confidence that closer cooperation would help Lebanon address a range of longstanding political, economic, and security challenges while reinforcing regional stability.
President Aoun, for his part, called for continued US support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, describing the military as “the pillar of stability” in Lebanon. He said he had requested sustained political backing from Washington to strengthen the army’s capabilities and preserve national security.
Aoun also reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to implementing the Washington framework agreement with Israel, emphasizing that its ultimate objective is to bring a permanent end to hostilities between the two neighboring countries.
The announcement of direct flights and the reaffirmation of security cooperation underscored the two countries’ shared interest in expanding bilateral engagement and supporting stability in Lebanon and the wider Middle East.
