US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he directed his administration to allow US air carriers to fly directly to Lebanon, more than 40 years after such flights were suspended.

Trump delivered the news on his Truth Social network shortly after hosting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House.

The US president said Aoun “has done a remarkable job working to transform his country” and expressed hope that other countries will follow Washington’s path in resuming direct flights to “this beautiful land.”

It is highly unlikely American carriers will want to fly into Lebanon in the near future, however, as continuing US-Iran tensions disrupt larger air traffic and questions about Hezbollah’s influence in parts of the country remain.

And despite Trump’s announcement, the US State Department continued to strongly advise against travel to Lebanon due to the security risks involved.

“Do not travel to Lebanon for any reason due to the risk of crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, landmines, and armed conflict,” a State Department advisory said.

There was no immediate comment from the US Transportation Department or Federal Aviation Administration.

Aoun came to Tuesday’s meeting aiming to secure US support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, which is........

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