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

7/7/2026

The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following communiqué: After several complaints were filed with the Antelias Police Station of the Regional Gendarmerie Unit against an unknown person impersonating a municipal police officer or a security officer, and carrying out armed robberies, particularly along the seaside corniche in the Marina area of Dbayeh, using a dangerous and repeated criminal method that posed a direct threat to citizens’ security and safety, the personnel of the Jdeideh Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit launched their investigations and intensified their inquiries and surveillance to identify and arrest the perpetrator. As a result of the follow-up, the Detachment was able to identify the suspect, who turned out to be the detainee: M. H., born in 1995, Lebanese national He had previously been arrested by the Information Branch for theft, and his photo had been circulated so that those who had fallen victim to his acts could identify him. During questioning regarding the armed robbery cases, he confessed to the charges attributed to him and admitted to carrying out more than 50 robberies in the Marina area of Dbayeh, using the same criminal method. Therefore, and based on the instructions of the competent judiciary, the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces is circulating the photo of the detainee and asks those who fell victim to his acts and recognized him to come to the headquarters of the Jdeideh Judicial Detachment, or to call: 01-901203, in preparation for taking the necessary legal measures.

7/7/2026

Issued by the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement was issued: A video clip of an interview conducted during a television program is being circulated on social media, in which the sister of inmate K. M. (born in 1975, Lebanese) made fabricated accusations regarding the alleged mistreatment of her brother by members of the Internal Security Forces, in addition to a series of inaccurate claims. The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces wishes to clarify the following: The aforementioned inmate had previously been admitted to prison several times during the years 2009, 2012, 2014, and 2018. His most recent admission was on 06-12-2021. Several judgment summaries have been issued against him, sentencing him to ten years of imprisonment, in addition to dozens of judicial warrants issued by the competent judiciary. He has committed several criminal acts and violations inside prisons, documented in 17 reports, most notably: riots, setting fire inside Qobbeh Prison, kidnapping military personnel, assault and battery, death threats, detaining inmates, imposing extortion payments, smuggling prohibited items, possessing mobile phones, self-inflicted cutting, vandalism inside prison, indecent acts, etc. This required his transfer, on more than one occasion, to several prisons for disciplinary reasons, namely: Zahle, Baalbek, Jbeil, Jezzine, Jeb Jennine, Qobbeh, Roumieh, and Amioun. The latest of these measures took place on 06-01-2026, when K. M., while in Jeb Jennine Prison, attempted to smuggle prohibited items and bribe one of the officers. On 07-01-2026, he also went on a hunger strike. After ending his strike, he was transferred to Jbeil Prison in consideration of his family situation and to facilitate communication with his relatives. On 02-06-2026, he inflicted cuts on himself, and was therefore transferred for disciplinary reasons to Zahle Prison, where he repeated the same act. He was then transferred for disciplinary reasons to Baalbek Prison, and subsequently to Batroun Prison. The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces affirms that the measures taken against the aforementioned inmate were carried out within the applicable legal and regulatory frameworks, with the aim of maintaining order inside prisons, ensuring the safety of inmates and personnel assigned to guard duty, and preventing the smuggling of prohibited items or the commission of any violations or criminal acts inside detention facilities. It also affirms that it will not tolerate any attempt to distort the image of the institution or slander its members through fabricated news or unsubstantiated allegations, and that it reserves its right to file a legal claim against the sister of the aforementioned inmate.

6/7/2026

Issued by the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement was issued: As part of the ongoing follow-up carried out by the Internal Security Forces to combat motorcycle theft operations across various Lebanese regions, information was obtained by the Information Branch regarding two unidentified persons carrying out motorcycle thefts in areas within the governorates of Beirut and Mount Lebanon. As a result of intensive investigations and inquiries, the Branch was able to identify them as: H. D. (born in 1996, Lebanese) H. H. (born in 2005, Lebanese) It was found that they are wanted by the judiciary for the crimes of forming a gang, theft, and drug-related offenses. On 27-06-2026, following precise surveillance and monitoring, one of the Branch’s patrols managed to arrest them in the Hadath area, on board an olive-colored “GR” motorcycle without license plates, which was seized. Upon searching them and the motorcycle, the following items were seized: A military pistol with two magazines containing 36 live rounds A military pistol with a magazine containing 9 live rounds Two mobile phones. During the investigation, the first suspect confessed to the charges brought against him, namely carrying out around 50 motorcycle thefts from in front of houses in several areas of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, including Salim Salam, Dora, and the southern suburbs. He also admitted to using drugs, particularly hashish and Tramal. The second suspect also confessed to the charges brought against him and admitted to using hashish. They further stated that they had purchased the two seized pistols found in their possession from a person in Burj El-Barajneh Camp. The necessary legal measures were taken against them, and they were referred, along with the seized items, to the concerned authority, based on the instructions of the competent judiciary.

6/7/2026