Pakistan, June 8 -- US President Donald Trump has called for more targeted military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon, saying he would prefer a "surgical" approach, while expressing hope for greater stability and prosperity in the country.

His remarks in a pre-recorded interview with NBC were aired on Sunday and coincided with Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, threatening to unravel a US-backed ceasefire effort that Washington had been trying to preserve.

"I'd like to see Lebanon have a better life. I'd like to see a more surgical attack on Hezbollah. I think it should be more surgical," Trump said, according to a transcript of the interview.

The remarks marked a sharp turn in tone from a president who, only days earlier,...