Lebanon, Iraq Plan To Develop Capacities To Export Oil, Gas To Western Markets

Lebanon, Iraq Plan to Develop Capacities to Export Oil, Gas to Western Markets

Lebanon and Iraq agreed on the need to build power transmission lines and railroads, as well as to develop oil and gas transportation capacities for effective use of the Lebanon's transit potential, the press service of the Lebanese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

BEIRUT (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 04th December, 2018) Lebanon and Iraq agreed on the need to build power transmission lines and railroads, as well as to develop oil and gas transportation capacities for effective use of the Lebanon's transit potential, the press service of the Lebanese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

This agreement was reached at the meeting of Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil and Iraqi President Barham Salih.

"An agreement was reached on the need to link once again Lebanon and Iraq by railroads and lines for transporting oil, gas and electricity, as well was to create joint projects that will enable Lebanon to serve as a gateway for transit trade with Iraq and for Iraq's to access Western markets," press service said in a statement.

Bassil is currently on an official visit to Baghdad, where he has met with the Iraqi leadership and discussed bilateral relations of Lebanon and Iraq and joint economic projects.

Railroads in Lebanon have been lacking since the civil war in the country. It was repeatedly reported by local media that the Lebanese government intended to restore a railroad that could link the country's major ports with industrial areas. Moreover, the Lebanese authorities expect a railroad to contribute to increase transit trade from Europe through Syria to Jordan, Iraq and the Gulf States.