Beirut Port Basin Filling Stops after Truckers Issue Warning

The head of the truckers syndicate warned on Wednesday that the drivers will take action after claiming workers resumed filling the controversial fourth basin at Beirut Port in violation of an agreement that they had reached with Prime Minister Tammam Salam.

The warning of Naim Sawaya prompted work to stop, Education Minister Elias Bou Saab said.

Earlier this month, the drivers suspended their open-ended strike and work in the basin was halted after Salam promised to find a solution to the row over the filling in agreement with all parties, including Christian religious figures.

But Sawaya, who heads the syndicate, told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) that the filling resumed on Wednesday.

“We are heading towards escalatory measures,” he said.

Bou Saab, who had previously mediated in the case, told LBCI that he contacted Salam, who said he had no knowledge about the resumption of activity on the basin.

Bou Saab said the PM confirmed to him that all works would stop until a solution is found.

The truckers syndicate claims that the filling of the basin would end the role of Beirut Port and harm the economy.

Port Officials argue, however, that the project will give more space to store containers. But there are fears that the move would direct large vessels to the Port of Tripoli because the fourth basin will no longer be able to accept big cargo ships.

This will allegedly cause hundreds of Beirut Port employees, mostly truckers, to lose their jobs.

The rival Christian parties back the truckers.

Another controversial issue linked to the filing of the basin is the scrutiny on the manner in which Abdul Rahman Hourie Company was awarded the $123 million worth contract to carry out the work.

G.K.

H.K.