Trump says he thinks Israel will withdraw troops from southern Lebanon

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his belief that Israel will withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon, suggesting it is a step Israel wishes to take. Speaking to reporters at the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump indicated he had discussed the withdrawal with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Yeah, I think they're going to. I think they want to," Trump said. "So we have a deal with Israel and Lebanon. Yeah, they'll leave. And I think it's going to work out very well."

These statements appear to contrast with recent comments from Netanyahu, who visited occupied Lebanese territory and told soldiers that Israel would not withdraw from the south as long as Iran-backed Hezbollah posed a threat. The two countries, with U.S. mediation, reached a security agreement on June 26. Under this deal, Israel is set to transfer two areas to the Lebanese army.

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Yeah, I think they're going to. I think they want to. So we have a deal with Israel and Lebanon. Yeah, they'll leave. And I think it's going to work out very well.