PH Embassy Inspects Lebanon-Syria Border to Enhance Capacity to Assist Nationals

BEIRUT 30 December 2018 — As part of its continuing program to build the capacity of its officers and staff in extending ready assistance to some 30,000 Filipino workers in Lebanon, the Philippine Embassy in Beirut conducted a site inspection at the Arida Border Crossing (ABC) in northern Lebanon on 28 December 2018. 

During the Familiarization and Site Inspection for Contingency Preparedness Program, Embassy personnel were toured and briefed by ABC Head Captain Arit Akram.

Captain Arit informed the Embassy delegation that border crossing has normalized since mid-2018, with an average of 1,600 Syrians and 1,200 Lebanese crossing the border daily. ABC also serves as a commercial gateway for fresh farm produce and industrial products to and from Lebanon, Syria and Turkey.

From the ABC, Ambassador to Lebanon Bernardita L. Catalla and her delegation proceeded to Tripoli Women’s Prison to visit two long-term serving Filipino detainees.

ABC is the international border crossing between Syria and Lebanon located on the international coastal highway between Tartus in Syria and Tripoli in Lebanon. Due to its proximity to Turkey and Cyprus, the ABC may also serve as possible exit point from Lebanon to these countries via the Mediterranean Sea. 

The site inspection was undertaken in coordination with the Internal Security Force and General Security Department. The Diplomatic Police escorted the Embassy delegation all throughout the day.

In December 2017, Embassy personnel conducted a site visit to the Masna’a Border Crossing (MBC), the primary crossing between Syria and Lebanon which links the capital cities of Beirut and Damascus.

During the Lebanese civil war in 2006, the Embassy repatriated some 5,000 overseas Filipinos through Beirut International Airport and through Syria via MBC. In 2012, the Embassy assisted in repatriating some 2,500 Filipinos from Syria through the MBC and Beirut. END

For more information, visit www.beirutpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinLebanon/.