Trump lifts 41-year ban on direct flights between US and Lebanon

US President Donald Trump has signed an official memorandum lifting restrictions that have blocked direct US-Lebanon flights for over four decades, removing a key legal obstacle to the resumption of direct air travel between the two countries.

According to Al Arabiya, the new memorandum revokes directives from 1985, 1992, 1998, and 2007, stating these measures are no longer necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft operating between the United States and Lebanon in both directions.

This executive action follows President Trump's announcement during his meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun last July, where he said US airlines would be allowed to resume direct flights to Lebanon.

Direct flights between the United States and Lebanon were suspended following a 1985 decision by Washington under President Ronald Reagan, after the hijacking of TWA Flight 847.

The Lebanese Embassy in Washington welcomed the presidential order signed by President Trump, which lifts restrictions on air travel between Lebanon and the United States and paves the way for the resumption of direct flights.