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.
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 arrest individuals wanted by the judiciary and suspects across various Lebanese regions, and as a result of field and intelligence operations conducted by the specialized units of the Information Branch, the whereabouts of one of the most dangerous individuals wanted by the judiciary for various offenses were identified. The suspect had been moving with extreme caution in the Ain al-Dahab area of Akkar. He was identified as: K. S. (born in 2001, Lebanese), who is the subject of 20 judicial warrants for offenses including theft, forming a criminal gang, arms trafficking, and burglary. On 7 August 2026, following a meticulous surveillance and monitoring operation, an Information Branch patrol arrested him in a carefully planned ambush in the aforementioned area. He was handed over to the relevant unit for the necessary legal measures to be taken against him, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judiciary.
15/8/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: A contracting company will carry out work to lay the second layer of asphalt from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, 15 and 16 August 2026, in several areas of Beirut. Accordingly, the Directorate General will implement the following traffic measures: First – In Cola, on the eastbound lane leading from Hamza Mosque toward the Corniche al-Mazraa intersection: Traffic coming uphill from the Sports City toward Tariq al-Jdideh will be diverted left onto Fleifel Street, then left onto Abdel Basset Ghandour Street, reaching the Arab University of Beirut behind Hamza Mosque. Traffic will then continue toward Corniche al-Mazraa at the Al-Rifai intersection. Traffic coming from Al-Rifai toward Cola will be restricted to one lane. Traffic coming from Al-Zouheiri Station–Wata al-Msaytbeh toward Tariq al-Jdideh will be diverted and restricted to one lane to the right of the Cola–Al-Boustani intersection. Traffic coming from the downhill road by the Arab University of Beirut up to Hamza Mosque and heading toward Cola will be diverted right onto Fleifel Street, then left onto Abdel Basset Ghandour Street, reaching the Arab University of Beirut behind the aforementioned mosque. Traffic will then continue toward the Al-Rifai intersection on Corniche al-Mazraa and onward toward Cola, using one lane. Second – From Peugeot Bridge to the Dakhiliyeh intersection: Traffic will be prohibited along the aforementioned stretch. Vehicles coming from beneath Peugeot Bridge will be diverted toward Al-Badawi Street and onward to Mar Mikhaël–Gemmayzeh. Traffic coming from the Al-Nahr traffic lights will be diverted toward Fiat Bridge, with two lanes operating in opposite directions. Citizens are requested to take note of these measures and comply with the instructions and directions of Internal Security Forces personnel in order to facilitate traffic flow and prevent congestion.
14/8/2026
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 apprehend individuals wanted by the judiciary, a patrol from the Beirut Central District Police Station of the Beirut Police Unit arrested a suspicious individual in downtown Beirut on 19 July 2026, while he was riding an olive-green SYM GR 125 motorcycle. After verifying his identity, he was identified as: F. J. (born in 1996, Lebanese) who was wanted in connection with three judicial proceedings for theft offenses. The necessary legal measures were taken against him, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judiciary.
14/8/2026
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 trafficking and distribution across various regions of Lebanon, the Information Branch received information indicating that two unidentified individuals were dealing drugs in the North Lebanon Governorate. Following this information, the Branch’s specialized units launched field and intelligence operations to identify and arrest the two suspects. As a result of their inquiries and investigations, the Branch was able to establish their identities as: W. A. A. (born in 2000, Palestinian), nicknamed “Obama”; M. Sh. (born in 1996, Palestinian), nicknamed “Al-Tablouj.” On 12 August 2026, following a meticulous surveillance and monitoring operation, a Branch patrol arrested them in the Al-Madfoun area while they were aboard a public passenger van. A search of the two suspects resulted in the seizure of: 22 large transparent nylon bags containing 2,784 g of salvia; 3 small transparent bags containing 21 g of the same substance; 3 small transparent bags containing plastic capsules filled with 37 g of cocaine base; as well as two mobile phones. During questioning, they admitted that they had obtained the drugs from the Laylaki area with the intention of distributing them in various parts of the North Lebanon Governorate. The necessary legal measures were taken against them, and they were handed over, along with the seized items, to the relevant authority pursuant to the instructions of the competent judiciary.
14/8/2026
