6 Truckers Enter Lebanon after Syria-Jordan Border Ordeal, Others Stranded in Saudi
Several Lebanese truck drivers were able to cross to Lebanon on Sunday after being stranded for four days along the Syrian-Jordanian border.
According to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3), six truck drivers, who were trapped at the Jordanian Nasib crossing, were able to cross the al-MAsnaa border crossing in the eastern Bekaa Valley.
Later on Sunday, state-run National News Agency said a number of Lebanese truck drivers are also stranded on the Saudi-Jordanian border.
“They urged the Lebanese government and Saudi authorities to provide a ferry or ship to return them to Lebanon along with their trucks, after the Nasib border crossing between Jordan and Syria was closed,” NNA said.
“The drivers said they no longer have enough money to survive after they ran out of food, and that they are suffering a very difficult situation on the Saudi border,” the agency added.
It noted that the deadline for the trucks' departure from Saudi territory was nearing and that they would be “fined” if they didn't leave on time.
The truckers called on the Lebanese government to “exert quick efforts to return them home along with their trucks,” the agency said.
On Saturday, head of the union of Arab tribes Sheikh Jassem al-Askar said in comments to media outlets that he is carrying out a series of contacts with a number of tribe leaders, who wield influence in Syria, to ensure the release of the Lebanese truck drivers.
At least 30 Lebanese truck drivers were stranded on the Syrian-Jordanian border, in the free zone, after rebels seized the Syrian side, prompting Amman to close a frontier crossing.
Omar Al-Ali, head of the Lebanese refrigerated truck union, had confirmed the news.
Ali said the drivers were trying to cross from Syria into Jordan, but were stranded after Amman closed the Nasib crossing.
He said that the drivers hail from the towns of Saadnayel and Bar Elias, while others are from the northern city of Tripoli.
The drivers entered the crossing on Wednesday, as a group of rebels, backed by al-Nusra Front, seized control of it after clashes with government forces.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said around 300 cars and trucks were stuck at the crossing, and reported looting of the border passage by rebels and local residents.
H.K./Y.R.
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