US President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. AFP
"We are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down," Trump said on social media.
"This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace -- Let's not blow it!"
Israel struck Beirut's southern suburbs on Sunday, killing three people and wounding six, an escalation Trump said "should not disrupt" progress toward a pact. It follows a similar attack a week ago that sparked the most serious escalation since the April 7 ceasefire, leading to a round of direct retaliatory strikes between Iran and Israel.
"This morning's attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day," Trump wrote, possibly a reference to his hopes of a signing on Sunday, his 80th birthday.
"There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel."
Trump -- who has repeatedly declared a deal with Iran was all but concluded -- had said on Saturday that the framework accord was scheduled to be signed on Sunday.
Iran has demanded an end to Israel's war in Lebanon as a key condition for any peace deal with the US.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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