Rasamny, Saudi Ambassador inspect Masnaa crossing
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Fahad bin Abdulrahman Al-Dosari inspected the Masnaa border crossing on Thursday to review procedures governing the export of Lebanese agricultural and industrial products to Saudi Arabia and Gulf markets.
Public Works Minister Fayez Rasamny received Al-Dosari at the crossing in his capacity as representative of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The visit included a tour of the customs yard and a review of monitoring and inspection procedures, including the new mobile scanner introduced after the fixed scanner became inoperative.
Rasamny welcomed Al-Dosari to what he described as Lebanon’s gateway to its Arab surroundings and expressed Lebanon’s appreciation to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the decision to resume Lebanese exports to the Kingdom.
He said securing Lebanon’s land, sea and air crossings had been a government priority since taking office, citing measures at Beirut airport and the ports of Beirut and Tripoli, as well as efforts to secure scanners in cooperation with CMA CGM and a decision to subject exports to 100% scanning.
Rasamny stressed that technology alone was insufficient without efficient administration and strong institutions, adding that the government was working with customs and security authorities to strengthen border control and combat smuggling.
He also announced that the Abboudieh crossing would reopen within weeks, helping ease pressure on Masnaa.
On the development of Masnaa, Rasamny said a new master plan had been completed after months of coordination and approved by the relevant authorities, including the Army, Customs and General Security.
The project, estimated at around $61 million, includes separate smart lanes for trucks, buses and passengers, as well as Fast Track, VIP and Duty Free facilities. Rasamny said implementation would take about three years once financing is secured.
He added that the redesigned crossing would be located closer to the Syrian border, shortening transit distances and helping strengthen oversight and curb smuggling.
Rasamny said Lebanon needed investment and restored confidence to advance key infrastructure projects.
We know what happened in the past, and we know how trust with Saudi Arabia was lost, he said. The Kingdom has every right to see that trust restored through actions and achievements.
Saudi Ambassador Al-Dosari, meanwhile, reaffirmed the depth of Lebanese-Saudi relations and the Kingdom’s support for Lebanon in restoring sovereignty over its entire territory.
We are always with Lebanon and the Lebanese, he said.
At the conclusion of the visit, dozens of trucks departed through the crossing, marking the resumption of Lebanese exports to Saudi Arabia.
