WASHINGTON/BEIRUT: US President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States has banned Israel from further bombing in Lebanon, using an atypically harsher tone than usual with the longtime US ally Israel.
“Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the USA. Enough is enough!!!” Trump said in a social media post.
Trump also said any deal the United States reaches with Iran “is in no way subject to Lebanon” but the US will “deal with” the militant Hezbollah situation in an appropriate manner.
The president of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, said on Friday that direct talks with Israel were both delicate and essential, and require a unified national approach.
“Direct negotiations are crucial … and a ceasefire is the gateway to proceeding with talks,” he said in a statement.
