Trump Voices Support for Lebanon in Cables to Aoun, Berri

U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged that Washington will continue to support Lebanon's stability and sovereignty.

Trump's stance was expressed in cables greeting President Michel Aoun and Speaker Nabih Berri on Lebanon's Independence Day.

In his remarks to Aoun, the U.S. leader described Lebanon as a strong partner for the United States in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, vowing that the U.S. will carry on with supporting Lebanon's stability, independence and sovereignty.

In his cable to Berri, Trump underscored that Washington greatly appreciates the cultural, familial, political and economic ties between the two countries and peoples.

He also promised to stand firmly by Lebanon as it seeks to protect its stability and sovereignty.

Lebanon has been gripped in a political crisis since Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced a surprise resignation earlier this month from Riyadh, lambasting Iran and Hizbullah for their policies in Lebanon and the region.

The shock announcement sparked worries that Lebanon would be caught up in the spiraling tensions between Riyadh and Tehran, which back opposing political and armed groups across the region.

After resigning, Hariri spent two more weeks in Saudi Arabia amid rumors he was under de facto house arrest there, before traveling to Paris on Saturday. There, he pledged he would be in Lebanon in time to mark its independence day on Wednesday.

Aoun is yet to accept Hariri's resignation, which was not submitted in a formal manner.