Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, marking the first visit by a Lebanese leader to Washington in over 16 years. Aoun, who took office shortly before Trump's inauguration in January 2025, sought increased US engagement in Lebanon, including financial support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and reconstruction efforts in southern Lebanon, as well as pressure on Israel. During the meeting, Aoun expressed admiration for Trump, saying he had been "looking forward to this visit for a very long time." Trump responded positively, jokingly saying Aoun "can have anything he wants." However, the concrete outcome announced after the meeting was a directive from Trump allowing US airlines to fly directly to Lebanon for the first time in 40 years. Trump wrote on his social media platform that the move would enable Americans to "easily visit this beautiful land." The visit was seen as a significant opportunity for Aoun to bolster ties with the US, with the last Lebanese presidential visit to the Oval Office occurring in 2009 under President Barack Obama. Analysts note that while direct flights are a symbolic gesture, Aoun's broader goals of substantial financial aid and political pressure on Israel remain to be seen.