7/7/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following communiqué:
As competition intensifies in the FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, with the tournament reaching the knockout stages, and amid the accompanying celebrations and cheering, the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces reminds citizens of the need to express victory or defeat in a sportsmanlike spirit and in a civilized and responsible manner, away from any aggressive or dangerous behavior.
It also calls on citizens to completely refrain from firing shots into the air, or using fireworks that may cause casualties and spark fires in homes and wooded areas, or engaging in any behavior that could endanger public safety, particularly sitting on car windows or standing through sunroofs while vehicles are moving.
The Directorate notes that, during the events of the 2022 World Cup, such practices resulted in 42 incidents, including 25 cases of celebratory gunfire, in addition to other incidents involving gunfire in protest or anger, marches and gatherings accompanied by gunfire, as well as disputes and the brandishing of weapons.
During the 2026 World Cup competitions to date, 8 cheering-related incidents have also been recorded, including disputes, gunfire in protest, and the throwing of fireworks that resulted in injuries.
These practices have nothing to do with cheering. They may lead to deaths or injuries, endanger public safety, spread fear and panic among citizens, and cause disputes, assaults, and damage to public and private property.
The Directorate affirms that celebratory gunfire, the use of fireworks, and all other acts that threaten security and public order are unlawful practices. Their perpetrators will be prosecuted in accordance with the law, without any leniency. The competent units are also conducting the necessary investigations with violators in preparation for taking legal measures against them.
Therefore, the Directorate calls on all drivers, fans, and citizens to abide by the laws and comply with the instructions of Internal Security Forces personnel, in order to preserve their safety and the safety of others, and to avoid turning moments of joy into tragedies with grave consequences.
Your joy is a responsibility… and one bullet can end a life.
#Celebrate_in_a_Sportsmanlike_Spirit
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
