Lebanon Prepares to Transport Iraqi Fuel by Land Through Syria to Tripoli

Welat TV – Erbil

Lebanon has officially begun preparing the logistical and administrative arrangements for a project to transport Iraqi fuel by land through Syrian territory to oil facilities in Tripoli, as it explores alternative energy supply routes amid growing tensions threatening the security of maritime corridors, particularly the Strait of Hormuz.

Lebanese media reported on Saturday, August 8, 2026, that a meeting will be held tomorrow, Monday, chaired by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, to follow up on the issue and establish a roadmap outlining the requirements that must be met before moving to any implementation steps.

The move follows Iraq's stated readiness, during Salam's recent visit to Baghdad, to export Iraqi fuel to Lebanon through the oil facilities in Tripoli.

According to the reports, the meeting will discuss the status of northern border crossings with Syria, as well as the security requirements for crossings and roads and the customs and security procedures needed to ensure the passage of fuel tankers from Iraq through Syrian territory to Lebanon and the city of Tripoli.

The project is expected to create new economic opportunities by increasing state revenues and boosting activity at the Port of Tripoli and its oil facilities, while also stimulating the transport and services sectors. It could further strengthen Lebanon's position within the region's energy infrastructure network.

Lebanon currently imports its fuel requirements by sea from international markets, as it has no domestic oil production and relies entirely on imports of fuel oil, diesel, and gasoline from global energy companies and commercial intermediaries.

Amid escalating tensions and continued threats to the security of maritime routes, land corridors are emerging as alternative options for transporting energy. Such routes could provide Iraq with a land-based outlet to the Mediterranean while generating transit revenues for Syria and other countries in the region in return for transporting energy across their territories, at a time when regional energy networks and transportation routes are undergoing significant restructuring.