Residents of Lebanese northern border towns blocked roads leading to Syria Wednesday to prevent fuel tanker trucks from crossing into Syria.

The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI) channel reported that protesters from the town of Arida, which has a crossing with Syria, blocked an international highway with rocks and barbed wires in the morning over the alleged smuggling of oil and diesel.

The road was reopened at around 2:00 p.m., after parliament member Moeen al-Merehbi, of the opposition Almustaqbal movement, negotiated with the residents.

The road of al-Abboudiyeh border crossing was also blocked in both directions, but was opened later in the day for only trucks carrying food products, the report said.

The protest came a day after the energy ministry said the reported smuggling was a fabrication made for political objectives.

The ministry said the Lebanese government is not committed to the international sanctions imposed on Syria. "The numerous trucks transporting different kinds of goods on the border are a proof that these sanctions are not binding," it added. Endi

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