The head of the Food Importers Syndicate, Hani Bohsali, explained that "the Masnaa border crossing is akin to Lebanon’s highly important commercial breathing lung."
In remarks to Voice of Lebanon radio, he noted that "canned goods and grains are the least affected items on the scale of rising local prices, followed by red and white meat and fish, then vegetables, fruits, milk, and cheese," pointing out that he "does not see any imminent danger regarding the supply route for food provisions in the country as long as Beirut Airport, Beirut Port, and the Masnaa border crossing remain open."
He said: "There is a difference between a natural strait, which must not be closed or have the passage of foreign cargo ships through it obstructed, or financial fees imposed on them, and a canal such as the Suez Canal, which is man-made and requires a series of maintenance and rehabilitation works that need funding, secured through the fees collected from ships passing through it."
