Hamiyeh in Baghdad to examine the development of the transport sector between Iraq and Lebanon

BEIRUT — Public Works and Transport Minister Ali Hamiyeh on an official visit to Baghdad on Sunday discussed with his counterpart and several Iraqi officials the development of the transport sector and the facilitation of the passage of aid and goods between the two countries, especially by linking the ports of Basra and Beirut.

Here's what we know: 

    • Hamiyeh described the meeting as “fruitful,” the state-run National News Agency reported, and assured that he reached a “series of agreements about the development of work in all sectors related to transport.”

    • “In accordance with the directives of the Iraqi prime ,inister given to officials in the country, the facilitation of the passage of aid from Iran via Iraq to Lebanon, and Iraqi aid, will be maintained," the minister said.

    • Hamiyeh also said that he examined the “possibility of allowing Lebanese trucks carrying goods to cross the border of Iraq” and the “need to increase the number of crossings on this border.”

    • The minister recalled in this context that there are seven border crossings that connect Iraq to the countries around it. “Within two weeks, Lebanon should be part of a transit agreement to these countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iran,” he noted. He also said he discussed the possibility of "linking the port of Basra to that of Beirut to promote the passage of goods.

    • Last January in Paris, Hamiyeh had discussed with his French counterpart, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, cooperation between the two countries in public transport and the restoration of the Beirut port, ravaged by the deadly explosion of Aug. 4, 2020.