Omani rally driver Zakariya al Amri extended his lead in the Merc 2 section of the 2026 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (Merc) following his second-place finish in the RC2 class at the 48th Rally of Lebanon. The event, held from September 11 to 13 in and around Jounieh and the northern and eastern outskirts of Beirut, was the only all-asphalt round of the championship.

Al Amri, alongside co-driver Mohammed al Mazroui, competed in a Subaru Impreza (N14) and secured valuable points that reinforced his position atop the Merc 2 standings. With two rounds remaining in Cyprus and Saudi Arabia, al Amri is aiming to clinch the section title by the end of the season.

The Rally of Lebanon featured challenging tarmac stages that differed from the primarily gravel and mixed surfaces found in other Middle East events. Notably absent from the competition were Qatari champion Nasser al Attiyah and young Omani driver Abdullah al Rawahi, who did not participate due to various reasons.

The overall rally saw an intense battle for victory between Lebanese driver Roger Feghali and Saudi competitor Basil Abu Hamdan. Ultimately, Feghali emerged as the winner after all stages were completed.

Reflecting on his performance, al Amri expressed satisfaction with his podium finish under demanding conditions and praised the event’s organization. He also acknowledged the support of his technical team, fellow competitors, and diplomatic representatives, specifically noting the presence of the Omani Ambassador to Lebanon at the rally. Additionally, al Amri commended FIA President Dr. Mohammed bin Sulayem for attending the event, supporting the competitors, and presenting awards.

As the Merc moves toward its final rounds, al Amri and his team are preparing to maintain their strong standing in the Merc 2 section, with hopes of competing in all remaining events and securing the class championship.