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.
General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement was issued: Several news websites and social media platforms circulated a report yesterday, 5 November 2026, claiming that six robbery incidents had taken place in the heart of Beirut within a period of 45 minutes. The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces wishes to clarify that this report is inaccurate and exaggerated. In fact, only one robbery took place yesterday around midday, in the Tariq El Jdideh area. In this regard, at 4:00 a.m. on 5 November 2026, a patrol from the Beirut Investigation Unit managed to apprehend two individuals caught in the act while riding a motorcycle without a registration plate in the Ashrafieh area, along Pierre Gemayel Avenue, for having committed a robbery in the area. It was established that both individuals had previous records for similar offences. They are: H. H. (born in 2002, Lebanese) A. D. (born in 2006, Palestinian) The following items were seized in their possession: A white GR motorcycle without registration or vehicle documents. A quantity of cannabis (hashish) inside a shoulder bag. The two detainees were handed over to the relevant police station for the necessary legal procedures to be taken against them. The investigation is ongoing under the supervision of the competent judicial authorities. The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces calls upon all media outlets and news websites to refrain from rushing to publish any information before verifying its accuracy, and to avoid exaggerating news reports that could negatively affect the overall situation in the country. It also urges citizens not to circulate such unverified reports, as they create confusion and spread fear among the public.
6/11/2026
General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement was issued: As part of the ongoing efforts undertaken by the units of the Internal Security Forces to combat all types of crime and apprehend those responsible, patrols from the Mount Lebanon Investigation Unit, under the Regional Gendarmerie Unit, managed to arrest five individuals considered among the most dangerous suspects in armed robbery, theft and pickpocketing, within a period of 24 hours. The arrests took place in various locations across the Mount Lebanon and Beirut Governorates. The individuals arrested are as follows: M. M. (born in 1994, Lebanese): Arrested in the Roueiss area, in Beirut's southern suburbs. He is suspected of stealing motorcycles from various areas in the southern suburbs and selling them inside Bourj el-Barajneh Camp. Video footage documenting his alleged criminal activities is available. W. M. (born in 1998, Lebanese): Wanted by the judiciary under an arrest warrant on charges of theft. He was arrested in the Haret El Naameh area. H. H. (born in 2004, of undetermined nationality): Subject to an arrest warrant on charges of motorcycle theft. He was arrested in the Sabra / Al-Harsh area. Y. K. (born in 1999, Lebanese): Suspected of carrying out motorcycle robberies in the Costa Brava area. He is wanted under an arrest warrant for motorcycle theft. He was arrested in the Sabra / Al-Harsh area. H. Sh. D. (born in 2004, Lebanese): Arrested in Wadi Chahrour following an exchange of gunfire with members of the patrol, during which he sustained injuries to his hand and leg. He was transferred to hospital for medical treatment, and his health condition is stable. The detainees were handed over to the relevant units to take the necessary legal measures against them, in accordance with the instructions of the competent judicial authorities.
6/11/2026
General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement was issued: On 5 November 2026, in the Bir Hassan area, two unidentified individuals assaulted a citizen and stole his motorcycle, inside the seat of which was USD 500,000, in addition to his pistol and mobile phone. The perpetrators then fled to an unknown destination. Following the incident, the specialized units of the Internal Security Forces launched field and intelligence operations to identify and apprehend the two perpetrators. As a result of investigations and inquiries, the Information Division managed to identify one of the suspects, namely: A. M. (born in 1998, Lebanese). Following careful surveillance and monitoring, a patrol from the Division managed to arrest him on 6 November 2026, in the Khaldeh area, and seized the stolen pistol in his possession. During questioning, he confessed to participating in the robbery with another individual. He also admitted that they had deposited part of the stolen money with several individuals and used the remaining portion to purchase a car. The Division managed to recover a substantial portion of the stolen amount. The necessary legal procedures were taken against the detainee. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the second individual involved, under the supervision of the competent judicial authorities.
6/11/2026
The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division – issued the following statement: Infrastructure repair works in the Medawar area – Achrafieh A contractor company has commenced infrastructure repair works in the Medawar area of Achrafieh, in front of Baqlian Mills. The works will continue until 5:00 p.m. today, 5 November 2026. These works will require the closure of traffic at the specified location, with vehicles diverted behind the aforementioned mills towards Al-Bourj Company, until the completion of the works. Installation of reflective road studs in the Geitawi area A contractor company will install reflective road studs (cat’s eyes) in the Geitawi area, along the road extending from Saint George Hospital (Hôpital des Sœurs du Rosaire) to the end of the road section at Geitawi Hospital, followed by a stretch of 100 metres to the right and 30 metres to the left. The works will take place from 5 November 2026 until 30 November 2026, Monday through Saturday, from 6:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. the following day. On Sundays, however, the works will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. on the same day. Please note that these works will not result in traffic closures or any reduction in the available road width. Citizens are kindly requested to take note of these measures and comply with the instructions and guidance of Internal Security Forces personnel, as well as the posted traffic signs, in order to facilitate traffic flow.
5/11/2026
