Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Lebanon PM welcomes US move on direct flights to Beirut
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Tuesday that US President Donald Trump's authorization for airlines to resume direct flights to Beirut was an important opportunity for Lebanon's economy and its links with Washington.
Salam welcomed the announcement, which came after Trump met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Salam said the move represented a significant opportunity to improve travel and connectivity between Lebanon and the United States and to support the Lebanese economy.
Update
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam made the comment.
Salam said Trump's authorization for airlines to resume direct flights to Beirut was an opportunity for Lebanon's economy and connectivity with Washington.
The announcement came after Trump's meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Source note: AFP news report published on 21 July 2026 at 20:09:29 UTC.
Update
Lebanon's prime minister said the resumption of direct US flights was a significant opportunity for connectivity and the economy.
Source note: AFP news report published on 21 July 2026 at 20:02:47 UTC.
Update
The United States suspended direct flights to Lebanon in 1985 after a TWA airliner was hijacked by Lebanese Islamist militants.
One US Navy diver was murdered and dozens of US nationals were held hostage for more than two weeks in that hijacking.
Source note: AFP news report published on 21 July 2026 at 19:58:02 UTC.
Update
Trump said the authorization followed a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Trump said he was directing his administration to allow all US airline carriers to fly directly to Lebanon.
The source says direct flights by US airlines to Lebanon had been suspended for decades.
Trump said the aim was to make it easier for Americans to visit Lebanon.
Source note: AFP news report published on 21 July 2026 at 19:45:29 UTC.
Source
AFP news report published on .