A line of cars at the Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria. (Credit: NNA)
The Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria was closed to Lebanese truck traffic overnight from Monday to Tuesday and again on Tuesday, after Syrian customs authorities banned non-Syrian trucks from entering the country by land, reports our correspondent in the region.
Owners of refrigerated trucks blocked the border crossing this morning to protest the Syrian authorities' decision to require them to unload their cargo at Jdeidet Yabous to be transferred onto Syrian trucks. The protesters challenged this decision, calling for the application of the principle of reciprocity, especially after delays by Lebanese authorities in communicating with their Syrian counterparts.
Following a meeting at the start of the afternoon, the union of refrigerated truck drivers announced its refusal to end its sit-in and would continue blocking the entrance to the Masnaa customs area until the Lebanese Ministry of Public Works accepts the recommendation to treat Syrian trucks in the same way.
Land and maritime transport sector outraged
In this context, an expanded meeting was held Tuesday at the General Directorate of Land and Maritime Transport, attended, among others, by representatives of transport sector unions and associations, exporters, maritime agents, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the director of the Land Transport Administration, Tony Assaf, in order to examine the repercussions of the Syrian authorities' decision.
The participants agreed that this has "created a clear imbalance in road transport between the two countries, which has had negative repercussions on the Lebanese road transport sector, transport and transit companies, as well as drivers and workers in this sector, not to mention Lebanese exporters."
They also called on the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Fayez Rasamny, to "take appropriate measures to protect the sector, particularly by adopting the principle of reciprocity in the regulation of the entry of Syrian trucks into Lebanese territory."
The director-general of land and maritime transport, Ahmed Tamer, affirmed his "readiness to organize an immediate meeting bringing together the concerned unions and associations and Syrian officials, in order to conduct direct negotiations and activate communication channels, emphasizing his openness to any positive solution allowing for a quick and effective resolution."
For his part, the president of the road transport union, Bassam Tleiss, stressed that the unions and relevant parties would support the Lebanese government in any decision taken to protect the sector. He expressed hope that a solution could be reached through diplomatic means, stating he was open to a comprehensive review between the two parties that would guarantee balance and preserve rights.
The Syrian General Authority for Border Crossings and Customs had issued a decision on Friday regulating goods and transport traffic by land borders and seaports. According to this measure, "non-Syrian trucks will not be allowed to enter Syrian territory via land crossings."
The transfer of goods between Syrian and non-Syrian trucks must take place in the customs area of each crossing, according to established procedures, with the exception of trucks in transit.
The day after this decision, Tleiss, along with the president of the National Farmers' Union, Ibrahim Tarchichi, called for urgent discussions between Beirut and Damascus, denouncing the direct and negative impact of this decision on the sector.
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