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The Lebanese land transport sector opposes the continued implementation of the Syrian decision regulating the movement of Lebanese trucks, as it considers that its current implementation disturbs the balance in transport movement between the two countries.
In this context, the Association of Refrigerated Truck Owners in Lebanon organized a protest movement this morning and closed the Masnaa border crossing, expressing their rejection of the Syrian decision that prevents Lebanese trucks from entering Syria directly, and forces them to unload their cargo at the Jdeidet Yabous crossing before reloading it onto Syrian trucks.
The land transport sector unions and federations also held a press conference this afternoon at the Masnaa crossing to announce their official position rejecting the Syrian measures.
The Refrigerated Trucks Syndicate announced its refusal to end the sit-in and continue to close the entrance to the customs yard at the factory, until the Ministry of Works agrees to the recommendation of reciprocity for Syrian trucks.
After its meeting, the union stressed that the closure will continue until its demands are met, stressing that the Syrian decision is “exceptional for Lebanon,” and that they have been waiting for a response from the Syrian side for four days to no avail.
She explained: “In this matter, we will deal in the same way, and the road will remain closed until the decision is withdrawn, knowing that the number of Lebanese trucks entering Syrian territory ranges between 40 and 50 trucks, while the Syrian trucks arriving in Lebanon are 150 trucks.”
This move comes in light of the severe economic difficulties facing the Lebanese land transport sector, which makes any disruption in cross-border transport movement an additional burden on truck owners and exporters, and increases the risks that threaten the stability of trade exchange between Lebanon and Syria.
