President Donald Trump said Tuesday evening that the Lebanese president 'knows how to talk to me' and can now get everything he wants, according to reports. The statement follows his earlier remarks that he was prepared to speak with Hezbollah at the president's request.
President Donald Trump said Tuesday evening that the Lebanese president 'knows how to talk to me' and can now get everything he wants, according to reports. The comment came minutes after Trump's earlier remarks at 19:20 Jerusalem time in which he said he was prepared to speak with Hezbollah at the Lebanese president's request, as The Zioneer reported.
The first reports of Trump's openness to Hezbollah dialogue emerged at 18:38 Jerusalem. Initial reports from ynet quoted Trump saying he would speak with Hezbollah if the Lebanese president asked. At the same time, additional reports from N12 and the Times of Israel added details: Trump threatened to strike the Iranian site at Mount Makosh and specified that he would speak with Hezbollah at the president's request. By 19:20 Jerusalem, The Zioneer confirmed Trump's prepared statement.
The latest comments fit into a broader pattern of Trump's assertive engagement on Lebanon. As The Zioneer has reported, Trump has claimed he can prevent Israel from striking Lebanon because 'they do as I say,' and has spoken directly with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, promising US support. He has also described Netanyahu as a 'good guy' who 'gets too excited' over Lebanon, and said Iran has agreed to essentially everything the US needs.
It remains unclear whether the Lebanese president has formally requested a Trump-Hezbollah dialogue, and whether Hezbollah would agree to such talks. The exact time of Trump's latest remark was not specified.
3 developments
- StrongTrump says he hopes the Lebanon situation can be resolved, acknowledges Hezbollah
- StrongTrump says Syria 'would be happy' to handle Hezbollah, Lebanese president to visit Washington
- StrongTrump calls Lebanese President Aoun, says US will back Israel deal
- StrongLebanese President Aoun says meeting with Trump went 'very well'
Source and signal
- Internal intake