Fourth Basin Crisis Hanging by a Thread as Rivals Agree to Legally Block Project

A meeting was held Thursday night in Bkirki between Bishop Boulos Sayyah and the representatives of the Christian parties to discuss the row over the filling of Port of Beirut’s fourth basin.

According to al-Joumhouria newspaper published on Friday, the meeting was attended by law experts from the Kataeb party, Tashnag party and the Marada Movement, in addition to the representative of those who are affected by the filling of the basin.

Sayyah reportedly hailed Prime Minister Tammam Salam's cooperation, praising a decision by the truckers syndicate at Beirut Port to suspend their open-ended strike.

The attendees discussed the legal process of the thorny issue and decided to cooperate until the end to block the project and safeguard the interests of those who are deeply harmed by the filling of the basin.

Sayyah stressed later in comments to Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) that the matter is not a Christian.

"It would have economic repercussions on the country," the bishop said, pointing out that the plan to fill the fourth basin changed three times, which indicates that there's no practical way to carry out the project.

Truckers argue that the filling would end the role of Beirut Port and harm the economy, calling for the formation of a fifth basin to create job opportunities, rather than leaving hundreds workers jobless.

The project will give more space to store containers. But there are fears that transforming the Port of Beirut into a transshipment hub would direct large vessels to the Port of Tripoli because the fourth basin will no longer be able to accept big cargo ships.

H.K.

G.K.