BEIRUT: Syrian intervention helped halt a planned Israeli strike on the Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, a vital commercial and civilian lifeline, Lebanese officials told Arab News on Monday.
Israel had issued warnings that it would target the crossing and the international road linking Lebanon to Syria, prompting urgent diplomatic contacts involving Beirut, Damascus and Washington to prevent the strike.
A Lebanese official source said Lebanese and Syrian authorities communicated with relevant parties after the Israeli threat, stressing that the crossing is used by thousands of civilians and is Lebanon’s main overland trade route to Arab countries.
Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny told Arab News that the Masnaa crossing is subject to strict security oversight and coordination between Lebanese and Syrian authorities.
“The Masnaa crossing is under full supervision and monitoring by Lebanese security forces, where inspections, checks and scans are carried out with the utmost seriousness and discipline,” he said.
