Lebanese Prime Minister postpones Washington trip

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam says he is postponing an imminent trip to the United States and the United Nations, citing the need to remain in Beirut.

“In light of ongoing internal circumstances… I have decided to postpone my trip to the United Nations and the United States… so I could oversee the government’s work here in Beirut,” Salam said in a post on X.

A Lebanese government source on Friday told CNN that Salam was expected to travel to Washington in the coming days, after Israel signaled openness to direct negotiations with Lebanon.

The delay comes as a fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran holds for now, but remains under strain, as Israel continues to hit Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, as direct talks between US and Iran take place in Islamabad with Pakistan, Israel said it is continuing strikes on targets in Lebanon.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) noted that it has struck more than 200 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon in the past 24 hours.

In a statement, it said its air force is carrying out further attacks and supporting ground forces operating in southern Lebanon. The IDF also claimed that it is targeting launchers to prevent attacks on Israel.

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s health ministry said six people have been killed in raids in southern Lebanon, with five others injured.

Israel has warned of an aircraft intrusion in the Upper Galilee region in the north of the country. It’s not clear who launched the attack.

-- Agencies