Syrian Delegation in Lebanon to Follow Up on Tripoli Port Link Project with Syrian Rail Network

According to a statement from the General Directorate of Railways and Public Transport, two technical delegations—one Lebanese, one Syrian—held meetings and field inspections to follow up on the railway reconnection project between the two countries and linking Tripoli port to the Syrian rail network. "This follows up on the results of the meeting held in Damascus on August 25 between Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rassamani and Syrian Minister of Transport Dr. Yarab Bader."

The Lebanese delegation included Chairman of the Board and General Director of the General Directorate of Railways and Public Transport Ziyad Shia, Director of Tripoli Port Dr. Ahmad Tamer, and Consultant Engineer Rami Khouri. The Syrian delegation comprised the Deputy Minister for Land Transport and Head of the General Authority of Railways Muhammad Rahal, Director of Land Transport Ali Asper, Deputy Director of Rail Lines Ismail Sharim, Nidal Abd al-Qader from Rail Lines – Tartous Branch, and Director of Fixed Facilities at Rail Lines Ahmad Al-Shawa.

The inspection tour included a site visit to the existing railway line at Tripoli port, where the Syrian side expressed "positive observations regarding its condition and potential for utilization, subject to final approval based on technical examinations conducted by the consultant according to the contract."

The delegations also visited Al-Akari station in Syria, located about five kilometers from the Lebanese border. "Discussions focused on the feasibility of connecting the Lebanese line to this station, and further extending it toward Homs and the rest of the Syrian rail network." The Syrian side clarified that differences in track gauges between the two networks do not pose any technical or operational obstacle to the connection.

The meetings and inspections concluded with an "agreement to continue work on the project, with the next phase focusing on completing technical studies of the route, determining expected freight traffic, economic feasibility, costs, and funding sources, paving the way for a joint technical workshop between both sides. If feasibility is confirmed and necessary funding is secured, the project will connect Tripoli port via Al-Akari and Homs to the Syrian rail network, enhancing its role in regional trade and transport, with potential future expansion into a broader regional logistics corridor."