President Trump announced direct US flights to Lebanon can resume. He made the announcement at a White House meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

It was the first White House visit by a Lebanese president since 2009. Direct flights had been stopped for over 40 years.

The ban started in 1985 under President Ronald Reagan. Reagan's government acted after the hijacking of TWA Flight 847.

Hezbollah members hijacked the plane at Beirut airport in Lebanon. Some reports say the ban actually applied to Lebanon's airline Middle East Airlines.

Trump promised to help Lebanon "a lot" during the meeting. He was asked about an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.

Trump declined to give a timeline for that withdrawal. Experts say US airlines are unlikely to resume flights soon.

They point to tensions between the US and Iran. They also cite unresolved questions about Hezbollah's influence in Lebanon.