Naharnet

Cabinet Tasks Shehayeb to Follow up on Case of Stranded Lebanese Drivers

The cabinet tasked on Wednesday Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayeb with following up on the case of Lebanese drivers who have been stranded on the Syrian-Jordanian border since last week.

Information Minister Ramzi Jreij said that Shehayeb will hold contacts with the Jordanian and Saudi Arabian embassies to discuss the matter.

He made the announcement after a cabinet session chaired by Prime Minister Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail.

Later on Wednesday, al-Jazeera television reported that eight of the drivers were released by the al-Nusra Front jihadist group after being stranded at the Nasib border crossing between Syria and Jordan.

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.

Three more truck drivers crossed to Lebanon on Tuesday.

M.T.

H.K.


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