Lebanese Ministry of Information
United States President Donald Trump sent a message to President Michel Aoun Wednesday to commemorate Eid al-Fitr. “On behalf of the American people, Melania and I send our warm greetings to you and the people of Lebanon as you celebrate Eid al-Fitr,” Trump was quoted as saying in the message to Aoun, received by The Daily Star.
“As we celebrate this holiday together, we are reminded of the importance of mercy, compassion and goodwill. On this occasion, the United States renews our shared commitment with Lebanon to honor these values,” the messaged continued. President Trump also sent a similar message to Speaker Nabih Berri to show appreciation for the month of Ramadan.
Lebanon receives significant military and developmental assistance from the U.S. who is a major donor to the Lebanese Army. In April, residents in the Bekaa Valley’s Zahle reported seeing U.S. military transport planes landing at the nearby Lebanese army airbase at Riyaq. According to sources at the time, the aircraft delivered artillery and heavy weaponry as well as logistical support to the Army to assist in its ongoing fight against militants in the northeast town of Arsal.
Daesh (ISIS) and Jabhat Fatah al-Sham – formerly known as the Nusra Front – are entrenched along the border and the Army regularly shells positions to prevent incursions.
Trump issued a statement for Ramadan Saturday afternoon in the U.S. but did not host an iftar dinner – a nearly 20-year presidential tradition. Started during the administration of former President Bill Clinton, the dinner normally hosts members of the American Muslim community, congress and diplomats from Muslim-majority countries.
Trump’s decision to abandon the iftar tradition has been condemned as Islamophobic along with other policies, including his travel ban targeting six Muslim countries.
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision Monday to partially allow parts of the ban that were initially blocked by the lower courts.
Trump concluded the statement with a similar hospitable message: “I wish you and the people of Lebanon a blessed holiday. Eid Mubarak.”
