3 More Stranded Truck Drivers Return to Lebanon

Three more Lebanese truck drivers crossed to Lebanon on Tuesday after they were stranded on the Syrian-Jordanian border following a rebel seizure of the Syrian side last week.

The drivers, who hail from the northern Akkar district, were identified by the state-run National News Agency as Ali Chehade, Youssef al-Mohammed and Abdul Halim Mahmoud Abdullah.

NNA said that the fate of a fourth driver, Abdr Ahmed Alwan, remained unknown.

His family urged the Lebanese government to make the necessary contacts to bring him back home, the agency added.

At least 30 drivers were stranded on the Syrian-Jordanian border's free zone area last Wednesday after they entered the crossing, as a group of rebels, backed by al-Nusra Front, seized control of it following clashes with government forces.

The move prompted Amman to close the Nasib crossing, which is the only functioning crossing between Jordan and Syria and is considered a crucial gateway for Syria's government and for Syrian, Lebanese and Jordanian traders and merchants.

Around six of the drivers returned to Lebanon on Monday, a day after eight of them came back home.

G.K.

H.K.