Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meeting with President Trump at the White House [UPI=Yonhap News]

Direct flights between the United States and Lebanon are set to resume after 41 years.

Following a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on the 21st (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump announced via his social media platform, Truth Social, "I am directing my administration to allow all U.S. airlines to operate direct flights to Lebanon so that all American citizens can easily visit this beautiful land."

He added, "I hope other countries will take similar measures."

Direct flights between the U.S. and Lebanon were suspended in 1985 during the Ronald Reagan administration following the hijacking of a TWA airliner that was traveling from Athens, Greece, to Rome, Italy.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the resumption of direct flights, telling AFP that it is "a significant opportunity to strengthen travel and connectivity between Lebanon and the U.S. and to support the Lebanese economy."

During their meeting, President Trump expressed his intention to support Lebanon, stating, "Lebanon is a country that has been treated very unfairly. I will ensure this nation receives the respect it deserves and is treated properly."

In the White House guestbook, President Aoun wrote, "I feel deep gratitude for President Trump’s friendship, and for the support that the United States provides to Lebanon, its sovereignty, its legitimate institutions, and its military."