The Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamny, held an extensive meeting during his official visit to the Syrian capital, Damascus, with Qutaiba Badawi, Head of the General Authority for Crossings and Customs, in the presence of officials from both the Lebanese and Syrian sides. The meeting focused on discussing ways to develop cooperation in the fields of transport and border crossings, as well as enhancing coordination between the relevant authorities in both countries.

The Lebanese delegation included, alongside Rasamny, Director General of Land and Maritime Transport Mazen Basbous, Director of Tripoli Port Ahmad Tamer, and Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister Samer Haddara. It also included members of the Lebanese-Syrian Security Committee, including Lebanese Army Command representative Brig. Gen. Michel Boutros and General Directorate of General Security representative Brig. Gen. Hadi Abu Chakra.

The Syrian delegation, alongside Badawi, included Chargé d’Affaires of the Syrian Arab Republic’s Embassy in Lebanon Eyad Al-Hazaa, Director General of Customs Khaled Al-Barak, and several officials and stakeholders.

The meeting addressed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in land transport and border crossings management, while raising the level of coordination between the concerned authorities in both countries. Discussions focused on facilitating the movement of travelers and goods, ensuring smoother land transportation, and boosting transit activity in a way that serves the common interests of both countries and enhances their economic integration, according to a statement from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.

Rasamny noted that “the coming phase will witness direct follow-up on what has been agreed upon through joint committees, strengthening cooperation between the Republic of Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic, contributing to the development of crossings and transport networks, achieving greater fluidity in the movement of people and goods, and establishing a shared strategic vision that serves the economic and developmental interests of both countries.”

Border Crossings

The bilateral discussions focused on the condition of infrastructure at border crossings and plans to develop and rehabilitate them. They also addressed the main challenges and obstacles facing truck and transit movement, with discussions on practical measures and joint coordination to ensure faster crossings and improve operational efficiency at border points.

Both sides stressed “the importance of aligning border checkpoints between the two countries, enhancing control effectiveness, and facilitating transit.”

In this context, Rasamny proposed establishing a new Lebanese border center in the Masnaa area, closer to the Syrian crossing, a proposal that was welcomed by the Syrian side.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties affirmed their “commitment to continuing direct coordination and cooperation, activating bilateral agreements, enhancing technical communication and coordination between specialized institutions, and following up on the implementation of what has been agreed upon through mutual cooperation and specialized committees.”

They also emphasized that these efforts would positively impact transportation, trade, and transit movements, strengthen economic integration, and serve the common interests of the Republic of Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic.

Visit to Injured from Daraa Accident

After concluding his official meetings, Rasamny visited the Lebanese Embassy in Damascus, where he met with Lebanese Ambassador to Syria Henry Kastoun. The two discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

Qastaun later accompanied Rasamny to a hospital in Damascus to check on the health conditions of Lebanese citizens injured in a traffic accident involving a bus carrying several Lebanese passengers heading to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah pilgrimage.

Rasamni was received at the hospital by Syrian Minister of Health Musab Al-Ali, who accompanied him during his tour to assess the conditions of the injured.

Rasamny praised the efforts of the Syrian Ministry of Health and medical teams in following up on the cases, expressing his gratitude to the Syrian Minister of Health for his care and attention toward the injured Lebanese citizens. He also wished the injured a speedy recovery and a safe return to their families.