Trump Resumes Direct US Flights to Lebanon After 40-Year Ban
6 verified3 unconfirmed1 contested
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he will allow American carriers to resume direct flights to Lebanon for the first time in more than 40 years. The route was suspended in 1985 under President Ronald Reagan’s administration following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847. Trump made the announcement in a social media post after meeting with the Lebanese president at the White House. During the meeting, Trump said Lebanon had “been a very badly treated place” and pledged to help “a lot,” without providing specific details. The Lebanese president was making the first visit to Washington by a Lebanese leader since 2009, seeking a long-term peace after months of war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group. Trump said Israel’s military was “in the process of redeploying” from southern Lebanon, but did not elaborate.
What’s verified
President Donald Trump announced he will allow U.S. airline carriers to resume direct flights to Lebanon.
The direct flight route was suspended in 1985 by the Reagan administration after the hijacking of TWA Flight 847.
Trump made the announcement after meeting with the Lebanese president at the White House on Tuesday.
Trump stated Lebanon had been “very badly treated” and said the U.S. would help “a lot” without giving details.
The Lebanese president’s White House visit was the first by a Lebanese leader since 2009.
Trump said Israel was in the process of redeploying forces from southern Lebanon.
Where accounts differ
The name of the Lebanese president who visited the White House differs: one source identifies him as Michel Aoun, while another source identifies him as Joseph Aoun.
Not yet confirmed
One source reported that Trump noted a “Hezbollah problem” and suggested he could speak with the group if the Lebanese president wanted; this was not mentioned in the other source.
One source provided extensive details about pilot zones for Israeli withdrawal, including incidents of Israeli warning shots and Lebanese army deployments, and comments from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. None of these details appear in the other source.
One source reported that Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam hailed Trump’s flight announcement; the other source did not mention Salam.
Key figures
President Donald Trump (United States)
Lebanese President (Michel Aoun or Joseph Aoun – name conflicting)
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (mentioned in one source)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio (mentioned in one source)
Sources: dw.com, abcnews.com
