Trump: We will resolve many problems in Lebanon... and we will consider the 'safe zone'

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Lebanon has been damaged over the past several decades and that the United States will assist it in the coming phase.

He added, during a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Joseph Aoun on Tuesday, “Lebanon has been a place and a country treated very poorly, and we will work to ensure it is treated as it should be, with the respect it deserves.”

He continued: “The relationship with Lebanon is good. We will resolve many of Lebanon’s problems, including those involving Hezbollah, and we will look into issues related to the trial phase of the safe zone project in Lebanon.”

He said, “The Syrian president wants to intervene and take action with Hezbollah, and I believe that would be highly effective.”

For his part, the Lebanese president urged his American counterpart to “continue supporting” the Lebanese army as the framework agreement with Israel, brokered by Washington, begins to be implemented.

He said, “All we ask for is continued support for the Lebanese army, which is doing a great job. Without the Lebanese Armed Forces, everything will collapse. We do not want that. I believe President Trump does not want that either.”