Arida border crossing still closed to vehicles

The Arida border crossing, one of the main entry points between North Lebanon and Syria, remained closed to vehicle traffic as of midday Saturday, two days after severe weather damaged the area and the bridge providing access across the border, according to our correspondent Michel Hallak.

Pedestrians are still allowed to cross, since the bridge is used exclusively for vehicles, and General Security facilities at the site remain intact and fully operational.

The bad weather caused the water level of the Al-Kabir River, which runs along the border, to rise, damaging the bridge. Meanwhile, local residents are calling for the reopening of two nearby crossings, Qamar Bridge and Al-Abboudieh, to mitigate the economic impact of the partial closure of Arida.

Heavy rain and snow swept across Lebanon before and during New Year’s. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport said in a statement that it continues to spread salt on several mountain roads, including Mdayrej, Dahr el-Baïdar, the Cedars, Tannourine, Tannourine–Hadath Al-Jebbeh Laqlouq and Faraya, to maximize safety for motorists traveling these routes.