29/10/2026
As part of the cooperation and coordination between the Directorate General of Internal Security Forces and official institutions and associations concerned with social affairs, the “Nidal for Human Rights” Association, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Directorate General of Internal Security Forces, launched the “We Sow Hope” initiative on 27-10-2026 at the Warwar Juvenile Rehabilitation Center. The initiative aims to create green spaces, decorate the center’s courtyards with seedlings and flowers, and provide juveniles with theoretical and practical training in agricultural skills, thereby contributing to the development of their abilities, supporting their rehabilitation, and facilitating their reintegration into society.
The event was attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Nizar Hani; the Head of the Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Joseph Muslim, representing the Director General of the Internal Security Forces, Major General Raed Abdullah; the President of the “Nidal for Human Rights” Association, Ms. Rima Saliba; the Commander of the Mount Lebanon Region, Brigadier General Abdo Khalil; and Ms. Shireen Baz, Head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), along with several representatives of relevant associations and institutions.
The ceremony opened with the Lebanese national anthem, followed by a welcoming speech delivered by the Commander of the Warwar Juvenile Rehabilitation Center, Colonel Rouad Al-Masri. He emphasized the importance of cooperation between official institutions and associations in supporting juvenile rehabilitation programs, developing their skills, and enhancing their opportunities for reintegration into society. He also highlighted the initiative’s role in fostering a sense of responsibility and cooperation among them.
Minister of Agriculture Dr. Nizar Hani then delivered a speech expressing his belief in the capabilities of juveniles and the importance of providing them with opportunities to learn and work. He explained that the Ministry would work to equip them with the necessary agricultural knowledge and skills, covering the entire process from planting and crop care to harvesting, packaging, and marketing, in line with the “farm-to-table” concept, thereby opening up future career opportunities for them.
For his part, Brigadier General Joseph Muslim began his speech by conveying the greetings of the Director General of the Internal Security Forces, Major General Raed Abdullah. He stressed that juvenile rehabilitation is a shared responsibility requiring the combined efforts of official institutions and civil society associations. He noted that rehabilitation centers’ role extends beyond enforcing the law to include care, guidance, and capacity-building, in accordance with the principles of community policing and respect for human rights. He also highlighted the importance of the agricultural initiative in promoting discipline and a sense of responsibility, affirming the Internal Security Forces’ support for the continuation and development of this cooperation, given that juvenile rehabilitation is a fundamental pillar in protecting society and enhancing its security and stability.
In turn, Ms. Rima Saliba, President of the “Nidal for Human Rights” Association, delivered a speech in which she noted that the initiative goes beyond planting seedlings, offering an opportunity to sow hope and self-confidence among juveniles. She stressed the importance of providing a supportive environment that helps them discover their abilities and build a better future.
Ms. Shireen Baz, Head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), also explained that since 2000, the Office has been implementing agricultural activities aimed at rehabilitating juveniles in conflict with the law. These activities began at Roumieh Central Prison and are currently continuing at the Warwar Center. Between 10 and 12 juveniles benefit from the program every six months, receiving training in the basics of agriculture and plant care. She emphasized the importance of cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and partner associations to ensure the sustainability of these activities, develop the juveniles’ skills, and enhance their opportunities for reintegration into society after leaving the center.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, attendees toured the areas designated for cultivation within the center and viewed the spaces that will be included in the initiative. Refreshments prepared by the juveniles were also served, and commemorative photographs were taken.
Issued by the Directorate General of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement was issued: As part of the ongoing efforts undertaken by the Internal Security Forces to combat theft and apprehend those responsible, following a burglary at a house in the town of Bqerqasha, Bsharri District, during which a quantity of gold and valuable items worth a total of more than USD 80,000 was stolen, patrols from the North Investigation Unit of the Regional Gendarmerie Unit launched field and intelligence operations to uncover the circumstances of the theft, identify the perpetrator, and arrest him. Following extensive inquiries and investigations, the Unit’s personnel managed to locate the stolen items inside a house in the Mohammara area, where they were seized, along with dozens of other stolen items and a collection of various mobile phones. The Unit also succeeded in identifying the suspect, namely: A. H. (born in 2000, Syrian national) Following careful surveillance, one of the Unit’s patrols managed to lure him from Beirut to the Minieh area, where he was arrested in a carefully planned ambush. The investigation is ongoing under the supervision of the competent judicial authority.
29/10/2026
Issued by the Directorate General of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement was issued: As part of the ongoing efforts undertaken by the Internal Security Forces to curb drug trafficking and promotion across various Lebanese regions and arrest those involved, the Information Branch received information indicating that unidentified individuals were storing quantities of drugs in a room at the entrance to Sabra Camp. Drug dealers were reportedly frequenting the room to collect the drugs and distribute them to customers in various areas of Beirut. Consequently, the Branch’s specialized units launched field and intelligence operations to identify and arrest those involved in the aforementioned activities. As a result of inquiries and investigations, the Branch managed to locate the room at the entrance to the camp and identify the suspects, including the following individuals: A. A. (born in 1996, Syrian) A. J. (born in 2001, Syrian) It was also established that the first suspect had a criminal record involving drug-related offenses and theft. On 28-09-2026, following a precise surveillance operation, an Information Branch patrol raided the aforementioned room in the Sabra Camp area and arrested both suspects inside. A search of the suspects and the room led to the seizure of a large quantity of drugs, containers of ketamine, substances in various shapes and colors prepared for distribution, a precision scale, plastic bags and containers used for packaging drugs, mobile phones, and other equipment. During questioning, both suspects confessed to the charges against them, admitting that they had been distributing drugs to a large number of customers in exchange for money after collecting them from the aforementioned room. Their activities took place in several areas of Beirut, including Cola, Airport Road, and Sports City. The necessary legal measures were taken against them, and they were handed over, along with the seized items, to the competent authority pursuant to the instructions of the judiciary. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other individuals involved.
28/10/2026
As part of the cooperation and coordination between the Directorate General of Internal Security Forces and Dar Al-Amal Association, the Association organized a ceremony at Tripoli Women’s Prison on 20-10-2026, during which vocational training certificates were distributed to more than fifty female inmates who had participated in courses under the “Naseej Al-Amal” (Weaving Hope) project. The project aims to empower women, enhance their vocational skills, and provide them with opportunities for employment and production. The event also featured an exhibition of handmade items created by the inmates. The ceremony was attended by Colonel Ziad Shhaita, Commander of the Tripoli Prisons Platoon, representing the Director General of the Internal Security Forces, Major General Raed Abdullah; Mr. Habib Hatem, President of Dar Al-Amal Association; Ms. Hiba Kabbani, representative of UN Women; Ms. Mona Issa, social worker at Dar Al-Amal Association and coordinator of the “Naseej Al-Amal” project; Ms. Odile Saad, Director of the prison; Ms. Joelle Hanna, representing Tripoli Municipality; Ms. Souhair Derbas, representing the President of the Beirut Bar Association; Ms. Soha Zouk Ziadé, representing the Tripoli Women’s Committee; as well as a number of lawyers and representatives of associations. The ceremony included speeches by Colonel Shhaita, Mr. Hatem, Ms. Kabbani, and Ms. Issa, who emphasized the importance of vocational training in rehabilitating female inmates and empowering them economically and socially, strengthening their abilities and self-confidence, providing them with opportunities for work and production, and helping them reintegrate into society after their release. Several participating inmates also shared their experiences and the skills they had acquired during the training courses. One notable example was an inmate who had trained thirty women in the art of crochet, demonstrating the importance of sharing expertise and fostering initiative and cooperation among participants. The program included five training courses in sewing, hand embroidery, and crochet. It concluded with the distribution of certificates to the participants in recognition of their commitment and perseverance. An exhibition of products created under the “Naseej Al-Amal” project was also held, allowing attendees to view the handmade items produced by the inmates, which reflected their skills, creativity, and productive abilities. The event also highlighted the “Naseej Al-Amal” workshop, which enables inmates to apply their newly acquired skills through work and production. The workshop helps transform vocational training into practical opportunities for economic empowerment, paving the way for their reintegration into society following their release. This initiative forms part of ongoing cooperation aimed at supporting rehabilitation and reform programs in prisons and expanding access to learning and vocational training, helping female inmates develop their abilities, strengthen their self-confidence, and prepare for life after release.
28/10/2026
Issued by the Directorate General of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement was issued: As part of the ongoing efforts undertaken by the Cybercrime and Intellectual Property Rights Bureau of the Judicial Police Unit to combat crimes committed via the Internet and social media platforms, the Bureau received a complaint filed before the competent judicial authority against suspicious pages on Facebook and TikTok promoting various types of medicines and medical preparations through AI-generated videos. These videos featured the complainant in a manner that falsely suggested he was promoting these products. The advertised products included preparations purportedly intended to treat stomach and joint pain, prostate and heart problems, regulate blood sugar and blood pressure levels, as well as sexual enhancers and weight-loss products. Following the complaint, the Bureau launched tracking and investigative operations. One of its patrols caught two individuals in the act in the Selim Salam area while they were depositing dozens of orders with a delivery company. They were identified as: H. S. (born in 2007, Lebanese) F. T. (born in 2002, Palestinian) A sum of USD 13,602 was found in their possession. They stated that the money had been obtained from the daily sales of these products. During questioning, they admitted to filling and packaging the preparations inside an apartment in the Dbayeh area, under the direction and supervision of other individuals. As the investigation expanded, the Bureau carried out a series of raids in the areas of Barbour in Beirut, Dbayeh, Choueifat, and Daraya. These operations resulted in the arrest of several individuals involved and the seizure of thousands of empty and filled containers, quantities of pills, some of which were of unknown composition, herbs and various substances, as well as presses, filling and packaging equipment, and product-specific packaging and labels. It was also established that an apartment in Dbayeh was being used to manage online marketing operations and receive orders. The apartment was being prepared to serve as a call center. Furthermore, large sums of money generated from sales were being transferred to an individual in Turkey. The investigation revealed that some of the mixtures used did not match the ingredients listed on the products, while others were prepared using herbs of unknown origin and packed into capsules. It was also established that some products advertised for treating joint pain consisted of creams packaged in tubes, while certain products promoted as sexual enhancers contained mixtures of spices, cumin, and ginger. In addition, some of the substances and containers had been stored under conditions that did not meet the required standards. As a result of the investigation, the following individuals were also arrested: M. K. (born in 1996, Lebanese) M. M. (born in 1994, Lebanese) S. M. (born in 1979, Lebanese) A wanted notice was also issued for one individual who remains at large. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining individuals involved, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authority. Paper documents containing details of thousands of orders were found, indicating that a large number of citizens had purchased these products. The Ministry of Public Health has been tasked with conducting the necessary laboratory analyses of the seized pills and preparations to determine their composition and nature. Accordingly, the Directorate General of Internal Security Forces warns citizens against purchasing or using medicines and medical preparations promoted through untrusted social media pages. It stresses that such products should be purchased exclusively from licensed pharmacies to safeguard their health and safety.
28/10/2026
