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: On 19 August 2026, the owner of a gas station in Sarba reported that one of his employees: H. A. (born in 2003, Syrian national), had stolen a pouch belonging to the gas station containing approximately US$1,700 and fled to an unknown location. Following the complaint, specialized units of the Information Branch launched field and intelligence operations to locate and apprehend the suspect. Investigations led to the identification of his residence in the Deir el-Zahrani area. On 20 August 2026, following close surveillance and monitoring, a Branch patrol arrested him in the aforementioned area, accompanied by: Kh. Y. (born in 1998, Syrian national). A search of the residence where they were staying resulted in the seizure of: 84 Captagon pills; A quantity of hashish; A precision scale and booklets of rolling papers; Sharp objects and a pistol-shaped lighter; 7 mobile phones and two SIM cards. The two detainees and the seized items were handed over to the competent authority for the necessary legal action, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authority.
5/9/2026
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, on 24 August 2026, the Anti-Human Trafficking and Morals Protection Bureau of the Judicial Police Unit received information indicating that several women were soliciting customers among motorists and passers-by along the coastal road in the Jiyeh area and engaging in prostitution inside chalets in the area. Following this information, and after coordinating with the competent judicial authority, a Bureau unit proceeded to the location and arrested five women, two Lebanese nationals and three Syrian nationals, as well as an Iraqi national responsible for the chalets, on suspicion of facilitating prostitution. During questioning, the five women admitted to soliciting customers and engaging in prostitution inside the chalets, facilitated by the aforementioned manager and another employee who worked at night, with the knowledge of the chalet owner. As the investigation continued, the employee and the chalet owner were summoned. The employee appeared and, during questioning, admitted to the allegations against him, while the chalet owner failed to appear. Pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authority, all those involved were arrested. Fourteen chalets, as well as the hotel’s main entrance, were placed under judicial seal. A search and investigation notice was also issued for the chalet owner, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend him.
4/9/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: On 1 September 2026, the body of an unidentified woman of African appearance was found in the Ramlet el-Baida area, at a location known as the “Summerland site.” According to the report of the forensic physician who examined the body, the cause of death was sudden cardiac arrest. The body was transferred to the morgue at Baabda Governmental Hospital. Description: A woman in her thirties, with dark skin and African features, of slim build, approximately 160 cm tall, wearing two rings—one in her nose and one in her right ear. She also has a tattoo containing foreign characters on the left side of her chest. Accordingly, and pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authority, the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces asks her relatives or anyone with information about her to contact the Ramlet el-Baida Police Station of the Beirut Police Unit at 01-771922, to provide any relevant information so that the necessary legal procedures can be completed and the body released to her family.
4/9/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the ongoing efforts by specialized Internal Security Forces units to combat drug dealing across Lebanon, the Mount Lebanon Investigation Detachment of the Territorial Gendarmerie Unit received information about an individual dealing drugs in the Jbeil area from a black Mercedes C300. Following this information, Detachment patrols launched field and intelligence operations to apprehend the suspect. On 2 September 2026, following investigations and surveillance, a Detachment patrol spotted him on the Jbeil highway. Officers moved in and arrested him. He was identified as: I. N. (born in 1998, Lebanese national). A quantity of narcotics was seized from his possession, including: 63 bags of hashish; 7 bags of marijuana; 5 glass tubes containing narcotic substances; 120 narcotic pills of various types, divided into nylon packets. The detainee and the seized narcotics were handed over to the competent unit for the necessary legal action, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authority.
4/9/2026
