Resumption of Land Exports from Lebanon to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf
Saudi Ambassador to Beirut Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al-Dosari affirmed, “We stand with Lebanon in reclaiming its sovereignty over all its territories, and we are always with Lebanon and the Lebanese people.”
Al-Dosari’s remarks came on the sidelines of inaugurating the third phase of exporting Lebanese products to Saudi Arabia via the Al-Masnaa land border crossing between Lebanon and Syria. The ceremony included the activation of a new scanner used to inspect shipments and products destined for export to the Kingdom, and subsequently to other Arab Gulf markets.
He stated, “We have confidence in the Lebanese state, and we are continuing what we initiated at Beirut Airport.” He added, “If there were no trust, we would not be here today. The Lebanese government, the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister (Nawaf Salam), and all government members are making significant efforts, which is evident.”
Al-Dosari toured the customs area at the Al-Masnaa crossing alongside Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamni and Chairman of the Higher Customs Council, Brigadier General Misbah Khalil. He inspected the monitoring and inspection mechanisms and the readiness of the new mobile scanner, which was deployed after the stationary scanner was disabled. The alternative unit operates using X-ray and infrared technologies, enhancing surveillance procedures and contributing to combating smuggling, while simultaneously accelerating the movement of trucks and vehicles. This ensures safe passage for goods exchanged between Lebanon and countries that import from it or whose territories it transits, and vice versa.
Rasamni emphasized “the priority of securing, developing, and upgrading border crossings and airports to serve citizens,” considering these steps as reflecting the official trend toward restoring the role of Lebanese institutions and activating the state’s presence across all Lebanese territories.
He thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for their supportive decisions for Lebanon, praising the opening of Saudi markets to Lebanese products. He expressed his anticipation for a new phase of cooperation and exchange of expertise in customs and commercial fields, serving the interests of both countries.
Riyadh had banned Lebanese exports more than five years ago due to widespread smuggling of Captagon into the Kingdom. The Crown Prince ordered the resumption of these exports on June 10 last year, citing “positive steps” taken by the Lebanese government to rebuild state institutions.
This move came in response to requests from Presidents Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam. Its phased implementation began through air and sea ports (Beirut Airport and the Port of Beirut) and will be completed via land routes, which are the most utilized export channels due to being the fastest and least costly.
The inauguration of land exports to Saudi Arabia coincided with a visit by a European Union military delegation as part of the EU CSDP FFM mission to Lebanon. The delegation held a meeting at the Beirut Port Administration and Investment Department, dedicated to discussing “ways to enhance cooperation and coordination in security and safety fields and to develop procedures adopted at the port.”
Beirut Port Board Chairman and General Manager Marwan Naffouche opened the meeting with a speech outlining the port’s major “challenges,” stressing the “importance of its development and strengthening its capabilities to restore its pivotal role and position among Mediterranean ports.” He affirmed the “importance of cooperation with the European Union and leveraging its extensive expertise in developing security and safety systems, as well as applying international standards adopted in global ports.”
