Lebanese officials are pushing to revive the country’s long-defunct railway system, aiming to establish connections with neighboring Syria and Iraq and potentially integrate into China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the region.
Lebanon’s railway network, which once linked Beirut to Tripoli near the Syrian border, ceased operations in 1975 at the onset of the 15-year civil war. Efforts to restore the railway have faced setbacks over the years due to political instability, security concerns, and the financial crisis that deepened in 2019.
Sajee Atiyya, chairman of parliament’s Public Works Committee, expressed renewed optimism this week, stating, “The rail system can be revived as there are major companies interested in investing in this project. We plan to continuously push the government to reopen this file and work towards its implementation.”
Carlos Naffa, head of the pro-rail advocacy group “Train Train,” revealed that his team has developed a comprehensive transport proposal to present to newly elected President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. He emphasized that the project, if pursued as a public-private partnership, could play a vital role in helping Lebanon recover from its economic crisis.
“Our plan ensures connectivity across all Lebanese regions. However, its success depends on a government willing to adopt a strategic approach involving international agencies and foreign private sector collaboration,” Naffa stated. He added his hope that Prime Minister Salam would appoint a public works minister capable of advancing this critical initiative.
Lebanon’s 408-kilometer railway network previously connected Beirut to Damascus and Haifa but halted operations during the civil war that ended in 1990. Calls to resurrect the network have gained momentum, particularly with its potential to link Beirut Port to Lebanon’s mountains, the Bekaa Valley, and beyond.
Jack Sarraf, former chairman of Lebanon’s Association of Industrialists, underscored the strategic importance of the project. “This railway is essential for connecting Lebanon with Syria and Iraq and could align with China’s Belt and Road Initiative. With the election of President Aoun, we are optimistic that this project could finally materialize,” Sarraf told MTV.
