Minister Rassamni Discusses Transit Movement and Passenger Facilitation in Damascus

During an official visit to Damascus, Minister of Public Works and Transport Faiz Rassamni conducted an extensive meeting with Qutaiba Badawi, Chairman of the General Authority for Ports and Customs, alongside officials from both Lebanon and Syria. The discussions focused on advancing cooperation in transportation, border crossings, and improving coordination between relevant authorities in the two countries.

The Lebanese delegation included Minister Rassamni, Brigadier General Mazen Basbous, Director General of Land and Maritime Transport, Ahmed Tamer, Director of Tripoli Port, Samer Haddara, advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister, as well as members of the Lebanese-Syrian security committee: Brigadier General Michel Boutros representing the Lebanese Army command and Brigadier General Hadi Abu Chakra from the General Directorate of General Security.

On the Syrian side, participants included Qutaiba Badawi, Chargé d’Affaires of the Syrian Arab Republic Embassy in Lebanon Iyad Al-Hazzaa, General Director of Customs Dr. Khaled Al-Barrak, and several other officials and stakeholders.

The meeting addressed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in land transport and border crossing management, aiming to enhance coordination among relevant entities in both countries. The goal is to facilitate the movement of passengers and goods, increase the flow of land transport, and promote transit activity to serve the shared interests and boost economic integration between Lebanon and Syria.

Discussions concentrated on the current state of infrastructure at border crossings and plans for their development and rehabilitation. The parties also reviewed key challenges and obstacles affecting truck and transit traffic, exploring practical measures and joint coordination to expedite crossing processes and improve operational efficiency at border points.

Both sides emphasized the importance of aligning border control points to enhance monitoring effectiveness and ease transit movement. In this regard, Minister Rassamni presented a proposal to establish a new Lebanese border center in the Al-Masnaa area, closer to the Syrian crossing, which received a positive reception from the Syrian side.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the two parties reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing coordination and direct cooperation, activating bilateral agreements, strengthening technical communication between specialized institutions, and following up on agreed measures through joint committees. These efforts aim to positively impact transport, trade, and transit activities, reinforce economic integration, and serve the mutual interests of the Lebanese Republic and the Syrian Arab Republic.

Following the official meetings, Minister Rassamni visited the Lebanese Embassy in Damascus, where he met with Dr. Henri Qustoun, Lebanon’s Ambassador to Syria. They reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

Subsequently, Ambassador Qustoun accompanied Minister Rassamni to a hospital in Damascus to check on the condition of Lebanese injured in a traffic accident involving a bus carrying Lebanese citizens traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah pilgrimage.

At the hospital, Minister Rassamni was received by Syrian Minister of Health Dr. Musab Al-Ali, who accompanied him during the visit to assess the situation of the injured. Minister Rassamni praised the efforts of the Syrian Ministry of Health and medical teams in caring for the patients, expressing gratitude to the Syrian Health Minister for his attention and care for the Lebanese injured, and wishing them a speedy recovery and safe return to their families.

Minister Rassamni concluded his visit to Damascus by affirming that the upcoming phase will involve direct follow-up on the agreed-upon measures through joint committees. This will enhance cooperation between Lebanon and Syria, contribute to the development of border crossings and transport networks, improve the flow of people and goods, and establish a shared strategic vision serving the economic and developmental interests of both countries.