WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said he is prepared to hold direct talks with Hezbollah if such a move is requested by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, signaling openness to engaging with all parties in an effort to address regional issues.
Speaking alongside President Aoun in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters that he does not rule out dialogue with any group if it could contribute to resolving conflicts.
“I would speak to Hezbollah. I speak to everybody. I’ll speak to people that a lot of people think I shouldn’t be speaking to, and things work out,” Trump said.
He added, “If the president wanted me to speak to Hezbollah, I would.”
During the meeting, Trump was also asked whether the United States would provide additional assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), which have been tasked with expanding state authority and implementing security arrangements in southern Lebanon.
The US president did not announce any new support package, saying the matter would be discussed privately with President Aoun.
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“We have some very concrete plans already in store for that. Others may also help, but Lebanon is becoming much more self-sufficient,” Trump said.
Trump was further questioned about reports that Israeli forces had fired toward Lebanese Army personnel as they attempted to deploy in one of the first pilot zones established under a US-brokered security arrangement.
Responding to the question, Trump said he had only recently been informed of the incident and would review the details before commenting further.
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The Israeli military said its troops fired warning shots after Lebanese soldiers crossed into an Israeli-controlled buffer zone.
The remarks come as Lebanon begins implementing a US-mediated security plan aimed at expanding Lebanese Army deployment in southern Lebanon following phased Israeli withdrawals, while efforts continue to strengthen regional security and reduce tensions.
