Lebanon prevents 100 trucks of watermelons from entering

Lebanon prevented 100 Jordanian trucks loaded with 2,700 tons of watermelons from entering the country forcing the trucks to stay at the Lebanese - Syrian borders for two weeks without the Lebanese authorities permitting them in.

The watermelons began to rot as they sat after the failure of Jordanian Minister of Agriculture Mijhim al-Khurayshah's mediation to convince the Lebanese authorities to permit these trucks in, in spite of communications he made with the Lebanese ambassador in Amman and with Lebanese Minister of Agriculture Shawki Fakhori.

The Lebanese government said that the decision has nothing to do with politics, but it said that Jordan has already shipped more watermelon to Lebanon than allowed under an economic agreement between the two states.

The agriculture calendar regulates commercial exchange between the two countries in agriculture.

Jordan is be permitted to export 4,000 tons of watermelon to Lebanon and limited quantities of Jordanian fruits and vegetables within a limited period that ends in June every year.