🔸 Trump: I think Israel will withdraw from southern Lebanon

Donald Trump, the U.S. president, on Wednesday, July 8 (17 Tir), said that he believes Israel will withdraw from southern Lebanon.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, he said he discussed the matter with Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, and that he imagines Tel Aviv wants to take such a step.

Trump said: "Yes, I think they will do it. I think they themselves want to."

He added: "We have an agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Yes, they will leave, and I think this will go well."

The remarks were made while Netanyahu had visited areas of Lebanese territory that are under the occupation of the Israeli army last week.

During the visit, he told Israeli forces that as long as Hezbollah, backed by Iran, remains a threat against Israel, this country will not withdraw from southern Lebanon.

On June 26, Israel and Lebanon reached a security agreement, mediated by the United States.