A joint meeting was held today, Thursday, at the Masnaa border customs center between representatives of Lebanon’s General Directorate of Land and Maritime Transport, the General Directorate of General Security, the General Directorate of Customs and the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as representatives of transport unions and associations, the Public Ports Authority, and Syrian customs and relevant authorities.

The meeting was held to continue discussions on organizing truck movement between the two countries in light of the latest developments.

⭕First: General framework of the mechanism
The two sides agreed to adopt a transitional and temporary regulatory mechanism based on the principle of reciprocal treatment. The mechanism aims to address existing issues and ensure continuous transport movement in a balanced manner, without compromising the fundamental positions of either party.

⭕Second: The approved mechanism (for seven days)
A reciprocal transfer mechanism will be applied within the territory of each country. Lebanese trucks will be allowed to enter Syrian customs yards to unload their cargo, provided they reload Syrian goods from Syrian trucks at the border and return to Lebanon.

The same mechanism will apply to Syrian trucks entering Lebanese territory during the validity period of this temporary arrangement.

The following materials are exempt from the transfer mechanism and will be allowed to enter directly without unloading cargo contained in hazardous-materials tanks: bulk cement, raw materials for cement production, and any other materials deemed unsuitable for transfer, such as special medications.

⭕Third: One-time truck entry
In a spirit of cooperation and goodwill, the Lebanese and Syrian sides agreed to allow Syrian and Lebanese trucks currently stuck between the borders to enter on this date, one time only, to settle their status.

These trucks must leave Lebanese or Syrian territory empty after unloading. This measure does not constitute a precedent or an acquired right that can be invoked later during or after the application of this mechanism.

⭕Fourth: Duration of application
The mechanism will be applied temporarily for seven days, from Feb. 13, 2026, until Feb. 20, to test its effectiveness and measure its impact on transport movement and supply chains between the two countries.

⭕Fifth: Assessment
The two sides agreed to hold a joint meeting one day before the end of the seven-day period, on Feb. 19, to assess the results and consider whether to modify, expand or terminate the mechanism to achieve balanced transport movement and preserve mutual interests.

⭕Sixth: Follow-up
Direct communication channels between the relevant authorities on both sides will remain in place to address any practical issues that may arise during the application period.

⭕Seventh: Legal nature of the mechanism
The two sides confirmed that the mechanism is temporary and transitional, and solely regulatory in nature, aimed at addressing current conditions during its specified validity period.

They stressed that it does not constitute an amendment, suspension or compromise of the provisions of the existing bilateral land transport agreement between the two countries, nor does it establish any acquired rights or legal precedents that can be relied upon in the future.