8/7/2026
Within the framework of the strategic plan developed by the Internal Security Forces, particularly in terms of institutional and administrative development and the modernization of infrastructure, a ceremony was held on 7 July 2026 at the Le Royal Hotel – Dbayeh to launch the partnership project with the global EBSCO database, implemented for the benefit of the Internal Security Forces Library, with funding from BLOM Bank.
The ceremony was attended by the Head of the Social Services Administration Unit, Brigadier General Elie Al-Asmar, representing the Director General of the Internal Security Forces, Major General Raed Abdullah; the Vice President of Sales for the Middle East and North Africa and representative of EBSCO, Mr. Ali Abdullah; the Head of Business Development and Retail Solutions and representative of BLOM Bank, Ms. Christine Wakim; as well as the representative of the Institute of Judicial Studies, Judge Jad Maalouf; the representative of the Beirut Bar Association, lawyer Alexander Najjar; the representative of the Bar Association in the North, Dr. Odine Salloum; representatives of the Scientific Supervisory Committee of the Security Studies Journal, the Lebanese University, and a number of private universities, in addition to officers from the Internal Security Forces.
After the Lebanese national anthem, Administrative Major Linda Ghosban and Administrative Major Micheline Sfeir welcomed the attendees.
Mr. Ali Abdullah then delivered a speech in which he affirmed that the digital library initiative comes within the framework of EBSCO’s support for digital transformation and the enhancement of access to knowledge. He noted that it provides Internal Security Forces personnel with an integrated knowledge platform that supports continuous training and performance development. He explained that investing in knowledge constitutes a fundamental pillar for building capacities and preparing human resources capable of keeping pace with developments, expressing his pride in the partnership with the Internal Security Forces and in the role of this platform in promoting institutional excellence.
For his part, Brigadier General Elie Al-Asmar pointed out that the launch of the Internal Security Forces electronic library constitutes a pivotal milestone in the development of knowledge-based work within the institution, and a qualitative step that reflects the leadership’s vision of moving toward a modern digital environment. This environment enables officers, personnel, and their families to access more than 300,000 sources, thereby strengthening continuous learning and professional development. He noted that the project falls within the strategic plan of the Internal Security Forces and was achieved thanks to the support of the Director General and the partnership with both EBSCO and BLOM Bank, praising the efforts of all parties that contributed to its success. He stressed that the electronic library is not merely a technical project, but rather a sustainable knowledge platform aimed at strengthening scientific research, developing performance, building capacities, and raising the level of readiness, based on the belief that investing in knowledge forms the foundation of effective security and sustainable institutional development.
The ceremony concluded with a presentation delivered by the representative of EBSCO, Mr. Ali Abdullah, during which he addressed the mechanism for using the digital platform and ways to benefit from its diverse content and resources, allowing for more effective access to knowledge. Commemorative shields were also exchanged between Brigadier General Elie Al-Asmar and Mr. Ali Abdullah, in appreciation of the partnership and cooperation in implementing this project.
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ ongoing efforts to pursue and arrest individuals involved in drug-related crimes, and within the security plan established by the Judicial Police Unit to combat this scourge and curb its spread, airport customs officers seized, on June 26, 2026, a postal parcel containing 4.5 kg of Captagon pills professionally concealed inside a child’s bed. The shipment was intended to be smuggled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through a shipping company. The Central Narcotics Control Bureau consequently launched the necessary inquiries and investigations, while analysing the available technical data, in order to identify and arrest those involved. As a result of the investigations, the sender of the parcel was located in the Riad El-Solh area of Beirut. On June 29, 2026, a patrol from the Bureau arrested him. He was identified as: R. A. (born in 1983, Lebanese) Further investigations and close follow-up led to the foiling of another smuggling operation. A quantity of 6.5 kg of Captagon pills, which had been prepared for shipment to Kuwait through a shipping company and concealed inside children’s beds, was seized. Coordination was also conducted with the General Department for Drug Control in Kuwait through the Criminal Security Office at the Kuwaiti Embassy in Lebanon. This resulted in the arrest of one of the individuals involved in Kuwait and the seizure of a quantity of narcotics in his possession. The necessary legal measures were taken against the detainee. Efforts are ongoing, in coordination with the competent judiciary, to arrest the remaining individuals involved.
30/7/2026
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: On July 24, 2026, an altercation took place in the town of Qab Elias, Bekaa, during which: A. Q. (born in 2008, Lebanese) was stabbed in the back. He was taken to a hospital, where he was admitted to intensive care. His condition was described as critical. A video documenting the incident was also circulated on several social media platforms. Following extensive inquiries and investigations, a patrol from the Bekaa Investigation Detachment of the Territorial Gendarmerie Unit identified the suspect and located him. He was identified as: F. Q. (born in 2006, Lebanese) Further investigation revealed that he had stabbed his brother during the aforementioned altercation. He was subsequently arrested and handed over to the competent unit so that the necessary legal measures could be taken against him, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judiciary.
29/7/2026
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: Following reports circulated by certain media outlets and social media platforms claiming that a young Syrian man had arrived in Lebanon from Germany, left Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport in a taxi bound for the Masnaa area, and was assaulted by unidentified individuals during the journey, sustaining severe injuries that later led to his death: Investigations conducted by the competent units of the Internal Security Forces established that the circulated reports concerning an assault were inaccurate and that: E. A. K. (born in 2002, Syrian) had taken a taxi from the airport to the Masnaa area on July 26, 2026. Upon reaching the Dahr El-Baidar main road, the vehicle stopped at the roadside and he stepped out. While walking, he lost his footing and fell from the edge of the road, striking his head against a rock and losing consciousness. The taxi driver immediately transported him to a hospital in Aley for treatment. According to the medical report, the injured man arrived in an emergency condition and was unconscious. He was found to be suffering from internal bleeding and skull fractures, requiring him to be placed on a ventilator. He was later taken into the care of one of his relatives and transferred to a hospital in Syria to continue his treatment. The taxi driver was released under a residence guarantee, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judiciary.
29/7/2026
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ ongoing efforts to combat robberies throughout Lebanon, the Information Branch received intelligence indicating that unidentified individuals had carried out several robberies in the Halba area. The most recent incident occurred on July 14, 2026, when they stole a citizen’s wallet in the Charbila area. The wallet contained a sum of money and identification documents. The perpetrators then fled to an unknown destination in a white van. Following extensive inquiries and investigations, the Information Branch identified the individuals involved, including the driver of the van, who was identified as: A. R. Z. (born in 2004, Lebanese) On July 15, 2026, after careful surveillance and monitoring, a patrol from the Information Branch arrested him in the town of Qoubaiyat. During questioning, he confessed to the allegations against him and admitted participating with others in several robberies in the Halba area, including the aforementioned incident. He also admitted to using narcotics. The necessary legal measures were taken against him, and he was referred to the competent authority pursuant to the instructions of the competent judiciary. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining individuals involved.
29/7/2026
