8/7/2026
Within the framework of the strategic plan developed by the Internal Security Forces, particularly in terms of institutional and administrative development and the modernization of infrastructure, a ceremony was held on 7 July 2026 at the Le Royal Hotel – Dbayeh to launch the partnership project with the global EBSCO database, implemented for the benefit of the Internal Security Forces Library, with funding from BLOM Bank.
The ceremony was attended by the Head of the Social Services Administration Unit, Brigadier General Elie Al-Asmar, representing the Director General of the Internal Security Forces, Major General Raed Abdullah; the Vice President of Sales for the Middle East and North Africa and representative of EBSCO, Mr. Ali Abdullah; the Head of Business Development and Retail Solutions and representative of BLOM Bank, Ms. Christine Wakim; as well as the representative of the Institute of Judicial Studies, Judge Jad Maalouf; the representative of the Beirut Bar Association, lawyer Alexander Najjar; the representative of the Bar Association in the North, Dr. Odine Salloum; representatives of the Scientific Supervisory Committee of the Security Studies Journal, the Lebanese University, and a number of private universities, in addition to officers from the Internal Security Forces.
After the Lebanese national anthem, Administrative Major Linda Ghosban and Administrative Major Micheline Sfeir welcomed the attendees.
Mr. Ali Abdullah then delivered a speech in which he affirmed that the digital library initiative comes within the framework of EBSCO’s support for digital transformation and the enhancement of access to knowledge. He noted that it provides Internal Security Forces personnel with an integrated knowledge platform that supports continuous training and performance development. He explained that investing in knowledge constitutes a fundamental pillar for building capacities and preparing human resources capable of keeping pace with developments, expressing his pride in the partnership with the Internal Security Forces and in the role of this platform in promoting institutional excellence.
For his part, Brigadier General Elie Al-Asmar pointed out that the launch of the Internal Security Forces electronic library constitutes a pivotal milestone in the development of knowledge-based work within the institution, and a qualitative step that reflects the leadership’s vision of moving toward a modern digital environment. This environment enables officers, personnel, and their families to access more than 300,000 sources, thereby strengthening continuous learning and professional development. He noted that the project falls within the strategic plan of the Internal Security Forces and was achieved thanks to the support of the Director General and the partnership with both EBSCO and BLOM Bank, praising the efforts of all parties that contributed to its success. He stressed that the electronic library is not merely a technical project, but rather a sustainable knowledge platform aimed at strengthening scientific research, developing performance, building capacities, and raising the level of readiness, based on the belief that investing in knowledge forms the foundation of effective security and sustainable institutional development.
The ceremony concluded with a presentation delivered by the representative of EBSCO, Mr. Ali Abdullah, during which he addressed the mechanism for using the digital platform and ways to benefit from its diverse content and resources, allowing for more effective access to knowledge. Commemorative shields were also exchanged between Brigadier General Elie Al-Asmar and Mr. Ali Abdullah, in appreciation of the partnership and cooperation in implementing this project.
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ daily efforts to curb drug dealing across various regions of Lebanon, the Information Branch obtained information about an unidentified individual involved in drug dealing in several areas of the Mount Lebanon Governorate. Following this information, the Branch’s specialized units launched field and intelligence operations to identify and arrest the dealer. Investigations and inquiries led to his identification as: S. H. (born in 1992, Lebanese national). On 17 August 2026, following close surveillance and monitoring, a patrol from the Branch caught him red-handed while dealing drugs in the Ouzai area, aboard a blue “Sweet” motorcycle, which was seized. A search of the suspect and the motorcycle resulted in the seizure of the following narcotics: 25 packets, each containing a small plastic container filled with cocaine; 14 packets, each containing a plastic capsule filled with “Baz”; 4 packets, each containing a small plastic container filled with “Cocaine Net”; One nylon bag containing hashish; A mobile phone and a sum of money. A search of his residence in the Mreijeh area also resulted in the seizure of: 32 packets, each containing a plastic capsule filled with “Baz Hajar”; 44 packets, each containing a small plastic container or capsule filled with cocaine; A sheet of paper listing a drug inventory, as well as a sum of money. During questioning, he admitted to the charges against him, including dealing drugs. The necessary legal measures were taken against him, and he was handed over, together with the seized items, to the competent authority pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authority. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining individuals involved.
21/8/2026
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 combat drug dealing, specialized units continue their surveillance and pursuit operations to apprehend dealers and seize narcotics intended for distribution. In this context, the Mount Lebanon Investigation Detachment of the Territorial Gendarmerie Unit received information about an individual dealing drugs from a motorcycle in the Hay el-Sellom area. Following close surveillance and monitoring, a patrol arrested him on 17 August 2026 while he was riding a motorcycle. The suspect attempted to resist the officers during his arrest. He was identified as: – A. S. (born in 1998, Syrian national). A search of the suspect resulted in the seizure of 21 small containers holding a white substance, two containers of marijuana, 11 bags of hashish, and 4 large bags containing hashish, in addition to two mobile phones and a sum of money. In a related operation, on the same day, information was received about another individual dealing drugs from a motorcycle in the Hay el-Sellom area. Following surveillance and monitoring, a patrol arrested him while he was riding the motorcycle. According to his statement, he is: – M. D. (born in 2009, Syrian national). A search of the suspect resulted in the seizure of 12 sealed medium-sized containers and 3 containers of various sizes holding a white substance, in addition to a mobile phone and a sum of money. The two detainees and the seized items were handed over to the competent unit for the necessary legal action, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authority.
21/8/2026
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 combat various forms of crime, particularly human trafficking and prostitution-related activities, the Anti-Human Trafficking and Morals Protection Bureau of the Judicial Police Unit received information about an “escort” network engaged in prostitution in Beirut, specifically in the Sodeco area. Investigations and inquiries revealed that the network was operating out of a hotel in the aforementioned area. Following these findings, Bureau patrols succeeded in arresting nine women red-handed: six Brazilian nationals, two Uzbek nationals, and one Moldovan national. Sums of money derived from prostitution activities were also seized from their possession. During questioning, the nine detainees admitted to engaging in prostitution and working as part of an organized network run by two individuals based outside Lebanon, known by the aliases “Yulia” and “Max.” The hotel owner and two employees were also arrested after it was established that they were aware of the prostitution activities taking place inside the hotel. The necessary legal measures were taken against the detainees pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authority.
21/8/2026
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 combat various forms of crime, the Information Branch obtained information about an unidentified individual suspected of carrying out several motorcycle thefts in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. A video circulated on social media also showed him stealing a motorcycle in the Airport Road area. Following this information, the Branch’s specialized units launched field and intelligence operations to identify and arrest the suspect. Investigations and inquiries led to his identification as: M. J. (born in 1997, Lebanese national), who has a criminal record for drug-related offences. Orders were subsequently issued to locate and arrest him in coordination with the judicial authorities. On 10 August 2026, following close surveillance and monitoring, a patrol from the Information Branch arrested him in the Airport Road area. Officers seized from his possession a screwdriver used in motorcycle thefts, brass knuckles, a GPS device, a wristwatch, a car key, personal documents belonging to another individual, a mobile phone, and a sum of money. During questioning, he admitted to stealing numerous motorcycles in several areas, including Airport Road, Beirut’s southern suburbs, Baabda, and Ain el-Remmaneh, and to selling them to an individual in the Sabra area. He also admitted to using drugs. The necessary legal measures were taken against him, and he was handed over, together with the seized items, to the competent authority, in accordance with the instructions of the competent judicial authority.
20/8/2026
