Syrian borders open again to Lebanese exports and further damages in Mount Lebanon caused by Zina

Further damages caused by Zina are now being recorded.  Following damages endured by farmers in Tyre, Akkar, and Byblos, Zina has also claimed additional large scale damages in the Metn, Shuf and Aley where pine trees and greenhouses used for flowers nurseries were destroyed.  According to As Safir newspaper, the significant destruction of pine forests in Higher Metn, Aley and Shuf highlands will surely affect next year’s harvest and will have severe social and economic implications on farmers in this sector estimated, throughout Lebanon, at some 50000 families according to the statistics of the Syndicate of pine tree farmers and workers.  Damages were also caused to apple trees yet; nevertheless, apple farmers were more concerned that their present surplus stock of refrigerated apples will not find markets abroad. On a related vein, reports indicated that the Syrian borders have now re-opened for six wheelers carrying Lebanese agricultural exports notably potatoes.  In fact some 230 trucks have crossed the border normally after a blockage of two weeks.  The closure was due to many reasons notably, poor weather conditions and the malfunction of the scanner machines which examines the transported goods and that are located on the Syrian side of the border.

 

(Source: As-Safir & Annahar 21&22 January,2015)