Washington, July 21 (IANS) President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Lebanon could eventually become part of the Abraham Accords, signalling his administration’s ambition to expand the US-backed normalisation agreements despite decades of hostility between Lebanon and Israel.
Responding to a question about Lebanon’s laws prohibiting contact with Israel, Trump said he intended to raise the issue with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
“I will,” Trump said.
“The Abraham Accords have been, I think, a tremendous success.”
“I think you’re going to see a lot of countries joining pretty soon.”
Trump added that the agreements had proved resilient despite recent regional conflicts.
“They are so successful for them, economically successful,” he said. “Nobody left, even during this time of conflict.”
“I think Lebanon has a very important place.”
Aoun, while not directly addressing the Abraham Accords, emphasised that the recently signed framework agreement with Israel sought “the ultimate objective of ending the state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel forever.”
He described the agreement as “a historic achievement” and said both leaders shared a common vision for regional stability.
“It’s about time for Lebanon and for the whole region to be stable and secure,” Aoun said.
Trump also indicated optimism that closer ties between the United States and Lebanon could extend beyond security.
Asked whether direct commercial flights between the two countries could resume, he replied: “I could see that happening, absolutely.”
On Israeli troop movements in southern Lebanon, Trump said forces were “in the process of redeploying” while discussions on strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces would continue.
“We have some very concrete plans already in store for that,” he said.
The White House meeting focused primarily on implementing the US-sponsored framework agreement signed in June, which aims to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces, reduce Hezbollah’s military presence and facilitate phased Israeli redeployment from southern Lebanon.
Expansion of the Abraham Accords would have implications beyond the Middle East. India maintains strong strategic partnerships with Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, all signatories to the accords, while also enjoying longstanding ties with Lebanon and other Arab states.
Greater regional stability would support trade, investment, and connectivity initiatives linking India with West Asia, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor proposed by partners such as India, the US, the UAE, and the European Union.
–IANS
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