BEIRUT: Oil-importing companies vehemently denied Monday media reports that they have re-exported fuel oil to Syria.

In a statement issued to the media, the oil companies stressed that Syria had not requested jet fuel from Lebanese companies, adding that no such shipments had been made to the neighboring country.

“We are surprised that this issue has been raised by the media without even trying to verify the sources of this information,” the statement said.

The companies emphasized that re-exporting fuel oil to any country requires the permission of the Energy and Water Ministry.

“No request was filed to the Energy Ministry to re-export this material to Syria,” the statement read.

Energy experts and officials point out that the United Nations Security Council has not prohibited any country from exporting fuel or oil to Syria.

Russia and China have used their veto power to block any attempt by the United States and Europe to impose such sanctions on Syria.

Since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis nearly two years ago, fuel and kerosene smuggling into the country from Lebanon and Iraq has jumped substantially.