The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ ongoing efforts to combat drug dealing and track down those involved, the Information Branch received information about unidentified individuals dealing drugs in several areas of Mount Lebanon, particularly in Metn. Following field and intelligence operations and close surveillance, the suspects were caught red-handed while dealing drugs from motorcycles, which were seized, as follows: The first suspect in Nahr el-Mot; The second and third suspects in Fanar; The fourth suspect in Jdeideh. A search of the first suspect and his motorcycle resulted in the seizure of: 5 containers labeled “100% BABLE,” containing a white substance believed to be cocaine; 15 containers labeled “NET 100%,” containing a substance believed to be cocaine; 11 containers containing a substance believed to be “Baz”; A handgun with a magazine and a sum of money. Searches of the second and third suspects’ homes resulted in the seizure of: 24 bags of hashish, weighing approximately 416.44 g; One bag of marijuana weighing approximately 25 g; 40 containers of cocaine; 27 bags, each containing a white paper holding “Baz”; A plastic container holding a white substance used in drug manufacturing, weighing approximately 51.51 g; 1,187 Captagon pills, a precision scale, and an accounts ledger; A large quantity of empty nylon bags and plastic containers used for packaging drugs. The fourth suspect was found in possession of: 5 containers of cocaine; Two packets containing hashish; Two booklets of rolling papers. During questioning, the suspects admitted to the allegations against them. They were detained and referred, together with the seized drugs and other items, to the competent authority for the necessary legal action, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authority.

14/9/2026

The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: A contracting company will carry out asphalt milling works in the Corniche el-Mazraa (Saeb Salam Boulevard) area, in preparation for subsequent road paving. The works will be carried out in several phases, as follows: Phase One On 14 and 15 September 2026, from 8:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. the following morning, works will take place from the Abdel Nasser Mosque intersection to the Corniche el-Mazraa – Saeb Salam Boulevard intersection toward Salim Salam, beneath the Cola Bridge. Traffic on the affected carriageway will be closed and diverted to the opposite carriageway, which will operate as a two-way road between Helou Barracks and Barbir. Phase Two On 16 and 17 September 2026, from 8:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. the following morning, works will take place from the Corniche el-Mazraa – Saeb Salam Boulevard intersection toward Salim Salam, beneath the bridge, to the Abdel Nasser Mosque intersection. Traffic will be closed on the affected carriageway and diverted to the opposite carriageway, which will operate in both directions between Barbir and Helou Barracks. On 18 September 2026, both carriageways will be cleaned and prepared for paving, without closing the road to traffic. On 19 September 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., paving works will be carried out from the Corniche el-Mazraa – Saeb Salam Boulevard intersection toward Salim Salam to the Abdel Nasser Mosque intersection. On 20 September 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., paving works will be carried out from the Abdel Nasser Mosque intersection to the Corniche el-Mazraa – Saeb Salam Boulevard intersection toward Salim Salam, beneath the bridge. Citizens are kindly requested to take note and comply with the instructions of Internal Security Forces personnel and the traffic signs installed in the affected areas in order to facilitate traffic flow and prevent congestion.

13/9/2026

The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ ongoing efforts to track down and apprehend individuals in violation of the law throughout Lebanon, and following a recent increase in break-ins and burglaries targeting shops and commercial establishments by unidentified masked individuals in several areas of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, specialized units of the Information Branch intensified their field and intelligence operations to identify and arrest the members of the gang responsible. A video showing members of the gang carrying out one of these burglaries in the Hazmieh area had also circulated on social media. Following extensive field investigations and inquiries, the Information Branch succeeded in identifying the gang members, including: M. Sh. (born in 1996, Lebanese national), who has a prior criminal record for theft. On 22 August 2026, following close surveillance, a Branch patrol spotted him in the Labweh area and arrested him while he was aboard a Dacia bearing only one license plate. The vehicle was seized and placed under judicial impoundment. A search of the suspect and the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a handgun, a magazine, and 13 live rounds of ammunition. During questioning, the suspect admitted that, together with other accomplices, he had carried out numerous break-ins involving the theft of safes from shops and commercial establishments, using several vehicles, including a black Golf, a grey Honda, and a white van. The burglaries were carried out in several areas of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, including Hazmieh, Dekwaneh, Airport Road, Ouzai, Raouche, Hadath, Chiyah, and Corniche el-Mazraa. He also stated that one of his accomplices had carried out several thefts using the aforementioned Honda in Sidon and its surrounding areas, and that he had purchased the handgun found in his possession from an individual in the Arsal area. The necessary legal measures were taken against the suspect, who was detained and referred, together with the seized items, to the competent authority pursuant to judicial instructions. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang.

13/9/2026

The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: First – Dahr el-Baidar – Mdeirej Further to our previous statement regarding traffic measures due to paving works on the Damascus International Road, and following the completion of the paving works, the road from Beirut toward the Bekaa will be reopened. Traffic coming from the Bekaa toward Beirut will remain open but will be diverted toward Sofar at the intersection near the first Mdeirej Bridge, onto the internal road through Sofar, on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, 14 September 2026, the previous traffic schedule will resume: the uphill lane toward Mdeirej – Bekaa will be closed, with traffic diverted via the Sofar – Hammana – Tarshish road. In addition, trucks traveling from the Bekaa toward Mount Lebanon will be prohibited during the paving works, from 5:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Second – Faraya On 12 and 13 September 2026, from 3:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m., the Feast of the Cross Festival will take place in Faraya. The highway will be closed before and after the Faraya roundabout, and traffic will be diverted onto the internal roads. Uphill traffic will be diverted through Faraya – Dar Ali, while downhill traffic will be diverted via the old Faraya – Chabrouh road. Citizens are kindly requested to comply with the instructions of Internal Security Forces personnel and the traffic signs installed at the site in order to facilitate traffic flow and prevent congestion.

12/9/2026