Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamny, categorically denied the validity of the allegations circulating about the smuggling of weapons or illegal materials through the Al-Masnaa border crossing with Syria, stressing that the crossing “is subject to tight security control and meticulous inspection procedures that prevent any violations.”
Rasamny’s statement was issued in a statement from his media office, after a series of extensive contacts he conducted with the concerned parties to follow up on security and logistical developments at the crossing, especially in light of the recent threats that affected the border area.
In a related context, the statement explained that the minister coordinated with the Minister of Finance, Yassin Jaber, to issue urgent instructions to the General Directorate of Land and Sea Transport, the Supreme Council of Customs, and the Customs Administration, with the aim of facilitating traffic and emptying the area between the Lebanese Masnaa crossing and the Syrian Jdeidet Yabous crossing of parked trucks.
According to the statement, the competent authorities, in coordination with the General Directorate of Public Security, began implementing an emergency plan that led to the entry of about 200 loaded trucks, with their drivers inside them, into the designated customs yards. Empty Lebanese trucks were also allowed to enter Lebanese territory directly, which contributed to alleviating congestion and organizing movement.
Despite the measures taken, some unaccompanied trucks remain stranded on the Lebanese side, while the Syrian authorities showed similar cooperation by allowing trucks close to their borders to return to Syrian customs squares. Urgent communications are still ongoing between the competent authorities in the two countries to address this complex logistical issue.
Rasamny stressed that the Masnaa crossing is subject to complete security supervision by the competent Lebanese agencies, which conduct a thorough inspection using advanced scanning devices to detect the contents of the trucks.
He said: “What is being raised about the possibility of smuggling operations, especially the smuggling of weapons through the crossing, is incorrect and not based on any realistic data, in light of the strict procedures and existing coordination between the Lebanese and Syrian sides.”
The Minister also expressed his thanks to the Minister of Finance, the Supreme Council of Customs, the Customs Administration, Public Security, and the General Directorate of Land and Sea Transport, praising “the speed of response and coordination that contributed to containing the situation and preserving the safety of drivers and goods,” in light of difficult circumstances and imminent dangers.
The Masnaa-Jdeidet Yabous crossing is considered the main land crossing between Lebanon and Syria, and witnesses heavy commercial traffic. However, the recent regional escalation and security threats led to tension in the border region, which necessitated taking exceptional measures to ensure continued smooth movement and prevent the crossings from being exploited for any illegal purposes.
The recent Lebanese steps come within the framework of enhancing commercial and security stability on this vital artery, with an official keenness to deny any allegations that may harm the integrity of the procedures followed.
