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.
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ daily efforts to track down and arrest suspicious individuals throughout Lebanon, the Information Branch received intelligence indicating that a person was trafficking military-grade weapons in northern Lebanon. Following extensive inquiries and investigations, the Branch identified the suspect as: G. Sh. (born in 1980, Lebanese) On July 12, 2026, after careful surveillance and monitoring, a patrol from the Branch set up an ambush in the Al-Tall area and caught him in the act while he was selling hand grenades. A search of his belongings uncovered a cardboard box containing 13 hand grenades, seven functional detonators, 70 narcotic pills, and a quantity of cocaine. During questioning, he confessed to trafficking military-grade weapons and stated that he obtained them from an individual in the Al-Masoudiyeh area. He also admitted that he had intended to sell the seized hand grenades in order to settle his outstanding debts. The necessary legal measures were taken against him, and he was referred, together with the seized items, to the competent authority, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judiciary.
25/7/2026
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following: The Street Food Festival will be held in the town of Aaqoura, Jbeil District, from 8:00 p.m. on July 24, 2026, until July 26, 2026. As a result, part of the main road will be closed to traffic, while all entrances to and exits from the town will remain fully accessible. Citizens are therefore requested to take note of these measures and comply with the instructions of the Internal Security Forces personnel assigned to carry out this mission, as well as with the directional traffic signs, in order to prevent congestion.
24/7/2026
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ ongoing efforts to combat fraud and apprehend its perpetrators, the Beirut Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit arrested one of the most dangerous fraudsters, who had defrauded a number of monks and nuns. On June 18, 2026, the Beirut Judicial Detachment received a complaint filed by a religious association against an unknown person for defrauding one of the nuns affiliated with the association. Investigations revealed that the suspect had deceived the nun by claiming that he intended to donate a large sum of money to her and that he had deposited an amount in a bank account opened in her name in the United States of America. Through his fraudulent manoeuvres, he convinced her to hand over her passport and induced her to transfer large sums of money in several instalments, allegedly to cover fees, taxes, and money-transfer expenses. To lend credibility to his claims, he sent her forged bank cheques and assumed several fictitious identities and names, including “Asha,” the alleged donor; “Sivak,” presented as the donor’s friend and the purported manager of the bank in the United States; “Jennifer,” Sivak’s daughter; as well as “François,” “Georges Chamas,” “Anthony,” and “Elie Al-Asmar,” whom he claimed were financial managers at the said bank. He contacted her using various Lebanese and foreign telephone numbers. The nun transferred sums of money to the suspect in several instalments. The Beirut Judicial Detachment subsequently launched field and intelligence operations. Following extensive inquiries and investigations, it identified the perpetrator as: S. G. (born in 1979, Lebanese), who has a criminal record involving fraud offences, particularly those targeting members of the clergy. After surveillance and follow-up operations, a patrol from the detachment arrested him in the Badaro area. During questioning, he confessed to the accusations against him and admitted that he had carried out the fraudulent operations alone, using multiple telephone numbers and fictitious names. He also admitted that he had thrown the complainant’s passport into a rubbish bin. It was further established that he had used the same method to defraud a number of other monks and nuns. He was referred to the competent authority for the necessary legal action. Accordingly, and based on the instructions of the competent judiciary, the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces requests that anyone who has fallen victim to similar fraudulent acts report to the Beirut Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit, located at the Barbar El-Khazen Barracks in Verdun, or call 01-810171, so that the necessary legal measures may be taken.
23/7/2026
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: During the summer season, vacationers, including citizens and tourists, visit various tourist destinations to enjoy a range of summer activities, including, but not limited to, riding personal watercraft, commonly known as jet skis. The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces has observed that, in many cases, these watercraft are operated in a random and unregulated manner and launched from locations that are either not designated for this purpose or not supervised by qualified personnel. Such practices may result in accidents and expose jet-ski users and beachgoers to serious risks. Accordingly, the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces is circulating the following safety requirements and awareness guidelines to private swimming-pool owners and jet-ski enthusiasts: Jet skis may only be launched or operated from designated marine corridors specifically allocated for this purpose and clearly marked with the necessary buoys and maritime signs. Jet skis are strictly prohibited from launching from beaches designated for swimming or from any unauthorized or unsupervised location. All resorts, marine clubs, and jet-ski rental stations must establish safe, clearly designated launch and docking points in advance. Jet skis are prohibited from operating within swimming areas or near the shoreline and must maintain a minimum safety distance of 200 metres from the shore. Mandatory speed restrictions shall apply within marine corridors and during entry and exit. Dangerous manoeuvres or demonstrations near the shore are strictly prohibited. Jet-ski users must wear mandatory life jackets and comply with all maritime safety requirements. Jet skis may not be operated by minors or unqualified individuals. They may not be rented out without first verifying the user’s eligibility and providing the necessary safety instructions. Rental stations and centres must comply with the following requirements: A qualified safety supervisor must be present. Initial transportation means must be provided. All jet-ski departures and returns must be recorded. Operating hours must be set in a manner that does not endanger public safety. Full compliance must be maintained with the conditions established by the General Directorate of Land and Maritime Transport and all other competent authorities. In the interest of public safety, the General Directorate calls upon both those responsible for this activity and jet-ski enthusiasts to act responsibly and fully comply with the above-mentioned requirements and guidelines, in order to protect their own safety and that of others.
23/7/2026
