Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be flying to the US next week, his office told The Times of Israel on Thursday, a day after a senior Israeli official said he would be traveling Saturday night.

Netanyahu will instead fly at the end of the month, the Prime Minister’s Office said, noting that senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral service has been pushed off until then. Graham, a longtime supporter of Israel in the US senate and friend of Netanyahu, died unexpectedly at 71 earlier in the week.

Netanyahu was expected to meet with US President Donald Trump during the trip, amid expanding back-and-forth attacks by the US and Iran and US-backed negotiations with Lebanon.

However, no formal meeting has yet been scheduled, and it is unclear when the premier will meet with Trump.

The White House has not confirmed the visit.

According to a Wednesday report in Hebrew media, Netanyahu had been eager to meet with Trump before Lebanese President Joseph Aoun does so on Tuesday.

US-brokered talks between Israel and Lebanon wrapped up on Wednesday in Rome,........

© The Times of Israel