LEBANON - Lebanon’s Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny arrived in Damascus on Tuesday at the head of a delegation, where he was received by Syrian Transport Minister Yarub Badr, as the two countries seek to strengthen cooperation in transportation and logistics.

The visit focuses on developing land and railway transport links between Lebanon and Syria and exploring measures to facilitate movement between the two countries in support of shared economic interests.

Following the meeting, Badr said the two sides had agreed on practical steps to develop the transport sector between Lebanon and Syria, according to Syria’s state-run news agency SANA.

The discussions covered ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, improve transportation and logistics infrastructure and expand trade flows through a coordinated framework and a clear timeline.

Railway Link Between Lebanon and Syria

Minister Rasamny said the two sides had established the broad outlines for a railway connection between Lebanon and Syria, with a specialized committee expected to examine the project’s technical requirements.

The proposed link could form part of a wider regional railway route connecting Lebanon with Syria, Iraq, the Gulf states and Turkey.

The discussions are also expected to examine the reactivation and development of existing railway connections between Lebanon and Syria, with a key proposal focusing on connecting the Port of Tripoli to the Syrian railway network.

Such a connection could facilitate the movement of goods between the port and inland markets, reduce logistical barriers and support greater trade between Lebanon and neighboring countries.

Port of Tripoli as a Regional Logistics Hub

Connecting the Port of Tripoli to the Syrian railway network could also strengthen the port’s role as a logistics hub serving Lebanon and the wider region.

The project would provide an alternative transport route for cargo and could improve the movement of goods between maritime and land transportation networks.

For Lebanon, the initiative comes as authorities seek to strengthen transport infrastructure and expand the country’s role in regional trade and logistics. Tripoli’s geographic position gives the port potential to serve as a gateway between the eastern Mediterranean and regional markets.

Wider Regional Transport Corridors

The talks also addressed opportunities to develop the railway connection as part of broader regional logistics corridors.

Lebanon and Syria are examining how their geographic positions and access to eastern Mediterranean ports could support trade routes extending toward Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states.

A more integrated transport network could facilitate cross-border freight movement, support trade exchanges and create additional links between Mediterranean ports and markets further east.

The two sides’ discussions therefore extend beyond the bilateral transport relationship, placing the proposed railway connection within a wider regional infrastructure and trade framework.

Next Steps

The formation of a specialized technical committee is expected to be a key next step in assessing the feasibility and requirements of the proposed railway connection.

The committee will examine technical aspects of the project as the two countries work to translate the broad framework discussed by the ministers into practical measures.

The visit signals renewed efforts by Lebanon and Syria to strengthen transport connectivity and develop infrastructure that could support trade, logistics and regional economic integration.