Lebanese-Syrian Agreement to Enhance Regional Transport

Minister of Public Works and Transport Faisal Rajjmani led a Lebanese delegation on an official visit to the Syrian Arab Republic, dedicated to exploring ways to enhance cooperation between Lebanon and Syria in the transport sector, particularly road and rail transport, and developing cross-border connections to facilitate passenger and cargo movement, stimulate trade exchange, and strengthen regional logistics integration. Upon arriving at the Syrian Ministry of Transport, Minister Rajjmani and the Lebanese delegation were received by his Syrian counterpart, Minister Yarub Bader, with a formal reception followed by a broad ministerial meeting chaired by both ministers Rajjmani and Bader, addressing the reactivation of the rail link between the two countries, development of land crossings, facilitation of transport and trade, and prospects for building an interconnected transport network linking Lebanon to regional countries.

The Lebanese delegation included Minister Rajjmani, Advisor to the Prime Minister Saad Arnaout, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister Samer Hadra, Chairman and General Manager of the Railway and Integrated Transport Authority Engineer Ziad Shya, Director of the Port of Tripoli Dr. Ahmad Tamer, Technical Consultant Engineer for the Tripoli–Al-Aboudi Railway Project Engineer Rami Khouri, and Advisor to the Minister of Public Works and Transport Drid Abou Saeed.

Rajjmani

During the meeting, Rajjmani emphasized "the importance of advancing transport cooperation onto a practical path based on shared interests, developing Lebanon's logistical options, and enhancing its ability to access regional markets."

He clarified that "the focus is on reactivating and developing the rail connection between Lebanon and Syria, particularly starting from the Port of Tripoli through Al-Aboudi to the Syrian railway network, and onward to regional countries."

Rajjmani noted that "developing this corridor will provide more effective transportation options, reduce costs, and open broader opportunities for Lebanon and its ports in trade and transit."

He highlighted that "the vision extends beyond bilateral connectivity to a wider regional corridor enabling Lebanon, via the Syrian network, to connect with Iraq, Jordan, Gulf countries, and Turkey, leveraging Lebanon’s strategic location and its Mediterranean eastern ports to serve regional trade."

He affirmed that "the goal is to support economic growth, boost export and import activities, lower transportation costs, and create new opportunities for the Lebanese economy."

Bader

On his part, Bader stressed "the importance of reactivating the rail link between Syria and Lebanon," noting that "this connection is not a new project but rooted in historical reality when the Syrian and Lebanese railway networks were interconnected."

He pointed to "the significance of reviving this link within a broader vision for regional transport networks," explaining that "after rehabilitating necessary segments, the Syrian railway network can enable the development of connections with Lebanon and several neighboring countries, thereby opening a land and rail route from the Eastern Mediterranean to regional and Gulf markets."

Joint Technical Team to Monitor Rail Link

The two sides agreed to establish a joint Lebanese-Syrian technical team composed of specialists, which will begin in the coming weeks monitoring the issues discussed, studying required technical options and routes for reactivating the rail connection between the two networks, and updating previous studies to align with current conditions, anticipated transport flows, and implementation requirements.

The team will be chaired by Engineer Ziad Shya, Chairman and General Manager of the Railway and Integrated Transport Authority, on the Lebanese side, and by Mohammad Rahal, Assistant Minister of Transport for Land Transport, on the Syrian side.

The meeting also addressed the railway link project between the Port of Tripoli and the Syrian border via Al-Aboudi, extending to Homs, as one of the key projects upon which to build the port’s connection to the regional railway network.

Land Crossings

The meeting reviewed the status of land crossings and ways to develop and streamline their operations. Rajjmani noted that the Al-Aboudi crossing is set to reopen within about a week, helping alleviate pressure and congestion on other crossings, while also discussing the project to develop the Al-Manshaf crossing and the funding requirements needed for its implementation.

Joint Press Conference

Following the meeting, Ministers Rajjmani and Bader held a joint press conference, outlining the main topics discussed and results achieved, particularly the agreement to launch joint technical follow-up on the rail link file and to convert the discussed issues into actionable steps.

Rajjmani affirmed that "Lebanon looks forward to leveraging its position, ports, and regional transport networks to build more effective corridors toward Arab markets," emphasizing that "the ambition goes beyond bilateral ties to constructing an interconnected regional transport network supporting trade and economic growth."

On his part, Bader noted that "the joint work of technical teams from both countries reflects a serious commitment to advancing the rail link reactivation process," underscoring "the importance of building on the outcomes reached and continuing follow-up at the technical level to enable transition to concrete actions."

The two ministers stressed that "developing road and rail links and upgrading transport infrastructure are essential elements in strengthening economic relations, facilitating the movement of people and goods, reducing trade and transport costs, and expanding options for exporters and importers in both countries."

Visit to Historic Al-Hijaz Station

At the end of the official program, Minister Rajjmani and the Lebanese delegation, accompanied by their Syrian counterparts, visited the historic Al-Hijaz Station in Damascus, where they toured the site and examined its historical and archaeological significance tied to the history of railways and transport in the region.