Beirut: 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, marking a significant shift in bilateral ties after more than four decades of suspended air links.

According to National news agency - Lebanon, the announcement came during Aoun's first visit to Washington by a Lebanese president since 2009. The two leaders discussed US military support for Lebanon, the implementation of the Washington framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, and the security situation in southern Lebanon. Trump stated that Washington had "clear plans" to support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and assist Lebanon in addressing its longstanding challenges. 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 noting that Lebanon had "been mistreated for a long time." He also mentioned that 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 expressing his request for continued political backing from Washington. He reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to the Washington framework agreement with Israel, stating 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 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, following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 and 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.