3/6/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division
The following statement was issued:
On 03-06-2026, a ceremony was held at Major General Martyr Wissam Al Hassan Barracks in Dbayeh for the handover of a donation provided by the Delegation of the European Union, in coordination with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to the benefit of the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces and the General Directorate of Civil Defense. The donation included maritime equipment and gear and was held under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Brigadier General Ahmad Al Hajjar, represented by the Director General of the Internal Security Forces, Major General Raed Abdallah.
The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of the European Union, Ms. Sandra De Waele; the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Blerta Aliko; the representative of the Director General of Civil Defense, Mr. Ziad Chahine; Brigadier General Dr. Alfred Hanna, Head of the Staff Authority Unit; Brigadier General Jean Aouad, Commander of the Regional Gendarmerie Unit; Brigadier General Imad El Jammal, Commander of the Beirut Police Unit; Brigadier General Tony Matta, Commander of the Mobile Forces Unit; and a number of senior officers.
The ceremony commenced with the Lebanese National Anthem and the European Union Anthem, followed by a welcoming speech delivered by Brigadier General Matta, who welcomed the attendees and praised the importance of the donation as a genuine commitment to strengthening the maritime capabilities of the Internal Security Forces.
On this occasion, Major General Raed Abdallah, representing Minister of Interior and Municipalities Brigadier General Ahmad Al Hajjar, delivered a speech in which he thanked the European Union and the UNDP for the donation, emphasizing that it reflects the continuation of cooperation and support for Lebanese security institutions. He explained that the donation includes high-speed boats, jet skis, diving equipment, and specialized gear intended for several operational units of the Internal Security Forces, thereby enhancing their capabilities and operational effectiveness. He also commended the support provided to Civil Defense, given its role in strengthening rescue and emergency response capabilities.
He pointed out that this donation contributes to enhancing operational readiness and efficiency, particularly within Lebanese territorial waters, thereby strengthening the ability to address security challenges and combat various forms of crime and violations. He further stressed that developing the operational capacities of the Internal Security Forces has a direct impact on the quality of security services provided to citizens and contributes to reinforcing public trust, despite all accompanying challenges and circumstances. It also raises the level of coordination and integration among the various concerned agencies, foremost among them the Lebanese Army and Civil Defense, in order to achieve the best possible results in confronting risks and common challenges.
In her speech, Ambassador Sandra De Waele emphasized that the delivery of this equipment to the Internal Security Forces and Civil Defense aims to strengthen the capacity of Lebanese institutions to protect citizens, respond to emergencies, and save lives. She noted that the European Union, in cooperation with the UNDP, supports Lebanon by enhancing the capabilities of security institutions and first-response agencies.
She explained that the donation includes diving equipment, boats, communication devices, and maritime response equipment for several units of the Internal Security Forces and Civil Defense, representing an investment exceeding USD 1.2 million. She further stressed that the effectiveness of search and rescue operations depends not only on equipment but also on cooperation, coordination, and information-sharing among the relevant institutions. She concluded by reaffirming the European Union’s continued support for Lebanon and its security institutions and expressed her appreciation to the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities, the Internal Security Forces, Civil Defense, and the UNDP for their cooperation and partnership.
For her part, UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Blerta Aliko emphasized that current developments in Lebanon highlight the importance of preparedness and the role of national institutions and first responders in addressing crises, stressing the need to equip them with the necessary skills and resources. She indicated that the equipment provided through European Union support would strengthen maritime search and rescue capacities within the Internal Security Forces and Civil Defense, thereby helping save lives and ensure rapid response to incidents.
She also noted that this initiative falls within the framework of UNDP efforts aimed at supporting stability, recovery, and the resilience of national institutions. She explained that the programme has implemented several initiatives in this context, including the establishment of a Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and the rehabilitation of eleven facilities belonging to the Internal Security Forces. She concluded by affirming that these investments enhance the efficiency of public institutions and strengthen citizens’ confidence in them, while thanking the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities, the Internal Security Forces, Civil Defense, and the European Union for their partnership and continued support.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Dr. Zahi Chahine of UNDP delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing a detailed explanation of the maritime equipment donated, the mechanisms for its use, and its role in supporting the operational and rescue missions carried out by the Internal Security Forces and Civil Defense. He also highlighted the importance of this equipment in strengthening field readiness and enhancing rapid-response and intervention capabilities in search-and-rescue operations and various maritime missions.
Following the presentation, attendees toured the donated equipment and boats displayed outdoors, and several of these assets were demonstrated at sea.
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following communiqué was issued: On 23-02-2026, citizen (K. B., born in 1976, Lebanese) reported that a group of unknown armed individuals entered his residence located in the Hamra area / Beirut, after threatening the building concierge with military weapons and restraining the domestic worker. They managed to steal an iron safe containing five luxury wristwatches estimated to be worth approximately USD /200,000/, before fleeing to an unknown destination. Immediately, the competent units of the Internal Security Forces initiated field and intelligence measures to identify and arrest those involved. As a result of intensive investigations and inquiries, the Information Branch was able to identify a number of those involved, including: H. Z. D. (born in 1998, Lebanese) M. K. (born in 1976, Lebanese) A. A. H. (born in 1975, Lebanese) A. Y. (born in 2000, Palestinian) On 14 and 16-05-2026, following precise surveillance and monitoring operations, patrols from the Branch were able to arrest them in the areas of Bir Hassan, Tahwitat Al-Ghadir, and Jnah. During the investigation, they confessed to the charges attributed to them regarding their participation, along with others, in planning and carrying out the theft. They also stated that, after carrying out the operation, they went to the residence of the detainee (A. A. H.), where they examined the stolen watches. They then contacted his son, who resides in the United States of America and owns a jewelry and watch shop, and smuggled the watches to him. The detainee (M. K.) also confessed to keeping one of the stolen watches and selling it in the Barbir market for USD /2,300/. The necessary legal measures were taken against the detainees, and they were handed over to the competent authority upon the instruction of the competent judiciary. Efforts are still ongoing to arrest the remaining individuals involved.
3/6/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement was issued: The Keserwan El-Ftouh Union of Municipalities, through a contracted company, will carry out pothole maintenance works on the main roads of Zouk Mosbeh, Faraya, Mairouba, and Jourat El-Tormos, starting on Thursday, 04-06-2026, until 14-06-2026. These works will result in a narrowing of the roadway at the work sites. Citizens are requested to take note of this notice and to comply with the instructions and directions of Internal Security Forces personnel, as well as with traffic signs and guidance boards, in order to preserve public safety and prevent traffic congestion.
3/6/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division: On 04/05/2026, an unidentified individual transported A. Z. (born in 1994, Syrian) to a hospital after he had sustained a gunshot wound to the hand that penetrated his chest. He later succumbed to his injuries. The person who transported him refused to provide his identity or phone number and claimed that the victim had been shot during an attempted robbery in the Ard Jalloul area. Immediately, the competent units of the Internal Security Forces launched field and intelligence investigations to uncover the circumstances of the incident, identify those involved, and arrest them. As a result of intensive inquiries and investigations, the Information Branch determined that the victim had been present at a butcher shop in Tariq El Jdideh owned by: W. Q. (born in 2001, Syrian) On 12/05/2026, following a precise surveillance and monitoring operation, one of the Branch’s patrols arrested him in the Tariq El Jdideh area. During interrogation, he confessed that on 04/05/2026, while A. Z. was inside his butcher shop, he accidentally fired a shot from a Glock pistol while joking with the victim. The bullet struck the victim’s hand and penetrated his chest. He further admitted that, with the assistance of his father: S. Q. (born in 1977, Syrian) and his uncle: S. Q. (born in 1975, Syrian) as well as several workers, he transported the victim to a pharmacy inside Shatila Camp in an attempt to provide first aid, before taking him to a hospital where he later died. He also admitted that they instructed those present in the butcher shop to provide false statements claiming that the victim had arrived already wounded by gunfire, in an attempt to mislead investigators and the victim’s family. He further stated that he hid the firearm in a room on the outskirts of the camp. In addition, he confessed to removing and discarding the shop’s surveillance cameras to conceal evidence of the crime and revealed that they were planning to contact the victim’s family in Syria to obtain a waiver of legal rights. The father and uncle of W. Q. were subsequently arrested and confessed to their involvement. The firearm used in the incident was recovered and seized. The necessary legal measures were taken against the suspects, who were referred, along with the seized evidence, to the competent judicial authority based on the instructions of the judiciary.
2/6/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division: Pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authority, the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces circulates the logos of the companies “Quick Line” and “Scholar Way,” which are linked to the detainee: T. A. (born in 1971, Lebanese) He is accused of fraud and deception after misleading a number of victims by claiming that he could secure free educational scholarships abroad in exchange for USD 600 per application. Therefore, the General Directorate requests that anyone who has fallen victim to his activities report to the Zahle Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit, located in the Zahle Palace of Justice, or contact either of the following numbers: 08-807064 or 08-807063, in preparation for taking the necessary legal measures.
2/6/2026
