Rassamny discusses new Masnaa border crossing during Damascus visit

BEIRUT — Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rassamny visited Damascus on Thursday at the head of a delegation; he was received by Syrian Customs Department head Qatiba Badawi at his office in Damascus, where they discussed ways to improve border services between the two countries and facilitate border crossings.

Rassamny informed Syrian officials of Lebanon's intention to establish a new border crossing in the Masnaa area of the Bekaa, closer to the Syrian crossing, to facilitate formalities and security procedures. The distance between the two currently complicates coordination and transit between the countries. According to the official statement, the Syrian side welcomed the proposal.

The meeting also focused on "strengthening bilateral cooperation in land transport and border management, as well as improving coordination between the relevant authorities of both countries, in order to facilitate the movement of travelers and goods, ensure smoother road traffic, strengthen transit traffic in the mutual interest of the two countries, and enhance their economic integration."

Discussions also touched on the current state of infrastructure at the border crossings, as well as plans for their development and modernization. The two officials also discussed "the main challenges and obstacles facing truck traffic and transit, as well as mechanisms to address them through practical measures and joint coordination to ensure faster crossings and enhanced operational efficiency at the border posts."

Since the regime change in Syria in December 2024, various measures have been introduced that have affected the movement of Lebanese trucks traveling to or transiting through Syria, particularly those transporting goods. These measures, which have even included a temporary ban on crossings, have been particularly detrimental to Lebanon, which shares an open land border only with Syria to the east and north, given its state of war with Israel to the south.

Relations have improved, however, as reflected in recent official visits, including that of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in recent weeks and Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani's visit to Beirut on July 2.

During his visit to Damascus, Rassamny also visited Lebanese victims of a bus accident in Daraa overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, accompanied by Lebanon's ambassador to Damascus, Henri Kastoun. He was joined at the hospital by Syrian Health Minister Massaab al-Ali, who accompanied him during the visit. Rassamny also thanked the Syrian authorities for their efforts to rescue the accident victims.

The bus accident, involving a group of pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia on a trip organized by a Lebanese agency, occurred in Daraa around 1 a.m. The bus was Jordanian, as Lebanese buses still do not travel freely in Syria. The accident, caused by a tire blowout, according to the agency's director, who spoke to our correspondent, resulted in five deaths, including the Jordanian driver, and several injuries. Most of the pilgrims were from the Saida region of Lebanon.

Reporting by our correspondent in the South, Muntasser Abdallah