Syrian and Lebanese Transport Ministers Discuss Reviving Rail Links Between the Two Countries

Transport Minister Dr. Yarob Badr held a coordination meeting in Damascus with Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rassamny and his accompanying delegation, to discuss enhancing joint cooperation in the transport sector and activating road and rail link projects between Syria and Lebanon.

Project Background

Minister Badr explained that this rail link is not a new project, but rather a revival of a historical reality in which the Syrian railway network was traditionally connected to the Lebanese railway network. He noted that the meeting of the two countries' technical railway teams reflects shared political and technical will to activate this link.

Economic Significance

Badr stated that the rail link carries significant economic importance, as it reduces transport costs and volumes, positively affects import and export activity, and contributes to added value and economic welfare in both countries.

He noted that the Syrian railway network suffers from deterioration, but the operational section adjacent to Lebanon offers a direct possibility for rail linkage, while connections with Jordan, Iraq and Turkey could be rehabilitated within an estimated one to two years.

Project Timeline

Badr added that broader projects exist to revive the Syrian railway network on modern foundations, requiring a longer timeframe, explaining that a five-year horizon represents a realistic planning framework for completing rail links between Syria and neighboring countries.

Crossing and Port Projects

Minister Rassamny said the meeting covered several transport sector topics, foremost among them the rail link between the two countries, noting that the Aboudieh crossing will open in about a week, helping ease congestion. Development of the Masnaa crossing was also discussed, pending securing the necessary financing.

The two sides discussed a project to develop the rail link from the Port of Tripoli toward the Syrian border via the Aboudieh crossing to Homs, as a step toward full connectivity between the two countries, alongside updating previous studies.

Next Steps

The two sides agreed to form a joint technical team of specialists to work over the coming weeks on translating the discussions into practical steps, and to study the technical options needed to activate rail linkage between the two networks. Both sides stressed that developing infrastructure and transport lines would help reduce transport costs, facilitate trade movement, and boost exports and imports.

• Sate Arnaout, Chief Advisor to the Lebanese Prime Minister
• Samer Hadara, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon
• Henry Kestoun, Lebanese Ambassador to Syria
• Mohammad Rahal, Assistant Minister of Transport in Syria
• Osama Haddad, Director of the Syrian Public Railway Establishment