20/12/2023
Under the patronage of the Director General of the Internal Security Forces, Major General Imad Othman, represented by the Acting Commander of the Internal Security Forces Institute, Administrative Brigadier Bilal Al-Hajjar, and within the framework of the project “Strengthening Community Policing in Lebanon” funded by the European Union, and with the support of Caritas, it was launched on 12/14/2023. At the Internal Security Forces Institute – Aramoun / Barracks of Martyr Major Wissam Eid, a series of awareness videos on combating human trafficking.
The ceremony was attended by the Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon, representatives of the embassies of the European Union, the United States of America, Bangladesh, a delegation from Caritas and another from the Community Police Strengthening Project, in addition to a number of representatives of civil society bodies in Lebanon, local and international associations and organizations, and events. Interested people, and officers from the Internal Security Forces. On the occasion, I delivered several speeches, which were summarized as follows:
Speech by Major General Othman’s representative, Brigadier General Al-Hajjar:
Dear audience, what brings us together today at the Internal Security Forces Institute, the mother institute for security institutions, is an absolute faith in confronting one of the most complex crimes. The crime of trafficking in persons is not an ordinary, traditional crime, but rather it affects a person’s humanity and the human dignity inherent in him and legislated by all heavenly and earthly laws. Given the seriousness of this crime, the Internal Security Forces, since before the issuance of Law 164/2011 (Punishment of the Crime of Trafficking in Persons), introduced this concept within the legal, civil, and academic community, where our officers had the initial initiative and effective participation in producing several papers and documents related to the definition of the crime and its indicators. And the necessary strategies to combat it and respond to its repercussions. The necessary training curricula have also been prepared for our members.
Various ranks. Since the legal and security response alone is not sufficient, networking has been done with local and international civil society in order to ensure a multi-sectoral response so that we can provide shelter, health and psychological services to the victims of this crime. Caritas was one of the first partners in this field because of its long experience and high standards in providing shelter and providing various services to marginalized groups, especially migrant domestic workers. Our partnership with this ancient organization began more than a decade ago and included joint training in addition to technical committees that laid the foundations of the response applicable in our society. This long and strong partnership has increased in roots and successes recently, especially through the project to strengthen community policing, which was gratefully funded by the European Union, which included several activities related to training and raising awareness, leading to the production of awareness films, the subject of our meeting. The Internal Security Forces are not alone in the first line of contact to detect and identify the victims of this crime, and they are not alone in the battlefield and confrontation. Rather, the combined efforts of all sectors will inevitably lead to revealing every problem that society suffers from. Therefore, we call on everyone to join this battle to achieve a safer society.
Speech of the representative of the European Union Embassy:
The campaign, which we are launching through a collaborative partnership with Caritas and the Internal Security Forces, aims to raise community awareness to prevent human trafficking. The European Union is proud to support this project, which falls within a larger initiative to strengthen the rights-based approach in the Internal Security Forces to provide protection to victims of child labour, forced prostitution and other forms of violations in Lebanon.
Speech by the representative of the Community Policing Strengthening Project: Laia Castells:
The peculiarity of this campaign is that, following the community policing model, Caritas and the Internal Security Forces worked together in its design, establishing a collaborative partnership that will last beyond the duration of the project. In addition, the campaign will help improve public confidence in police work, by further highlighting the security forces’ commitment to promoting human rights and providing protection services to victims of child labour, forced prostitution and other forms of exploitation, and human trafficking.
Speech by Father Michel Abboud, President of Caritas:
Father Abboud began his speech with a famous saying of one of the thinkers, stating that “it is not only the evil ones who destroy the world, but rather it is those who stand by and watch that the world is destroyed,” stressing “the importance of citizens applying the campaign’s slogan, not turning a blind eye to any indicators or signs of human trafficking, and reporting The concerned authorities, led by the Internal Security Forces, will contribute to supporting the fight against this crime, thus protecting the victims and holding the perpetrators accountable.” Pointing out that “what the Lebanese need most today is security and peace, in light of their loss of social, health and even food security,” he stressed that “all people working in the field, from the Internal Security Forces and all the forces in Lebanon and even Caritas, must They enjoy economic protection, so that they can perform their role and protect citizens in the best possible way. Hence the importance of the continuity of projects that are not available in our country, which constitutes a guarantee of the continuity of the work of our employees, workers and volunteers with high ethics in accordance with international standards.”
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement was issued: On the occasion of the 165th Anniversary of the Internal Security Forces, and within the framework of cooperation and coordination between the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces and educational institutions in Lebanon, 57 students from Mishmish Mixed Public School visited the Mishmish Police Station of the Regional Gendarmerie Unit on 03-06-2026, accompanied by the school principal, Mr. Youssef Berri, and a group of teachers. Upon their arrival, they were welcomed by the station personnel. The station commander, Major Ahmad Al Adraa, provided them with a detailed presentation on the duties of the Internal Security Forces and their role in serving citizens across various fields. In this context, discussions focused on the importance of cooperation between the Internal Security Forces and citizens, as well as ways to promote civic responsibility among students. The station commander also explained how violations are addressed, how judicial investigations are conducted under the authority and supervision of the judiciary, and how judicial directives are implemented. Several students then addressed questions to Major Al Adraa regarding the duties and responsibilities of the Internal Security Forces, and he provided them with comprehensive answers. Afterward, Mr. Berri delivered a speech in which he praised the efforts of the Internal Security Forces in serving citizens, highlighting their important role in serving society and the sacrifices they make. At the conclusion of the visit, the students toured the various sections of the police station. Sweets, informational brochures, and Internal Security Forces flags were distributed to the students, and commemorative photographs were taken to mark the occasion.
20/06/2026
The Director General of the Internal Security Forces, Major General Raed Abdallah, received this morning in his office at the General Headquarters Barracks a delegation from the Lebanese French University (ULF), comprising the University President and former Minister Dr. Michel Najjar, Director of Financial and Administrative Affairs Dr. Hani Haidoura, and retired Brigadier General Fawzi Hammadi. During the meeting, Major General Abdallah and Dr. Najjar signed a Memorandum of Understanding on academic cooperation between the two parties. The University President expressed the institution’s willingness to provide special scholarships to serving members of the Internal Security Forces, as well as to their families and the families of retired personnel. The signing ceremony was attended by the Head of the Staff Authority Unit, Brigadier General Dr. Alfred Hanna; the Commander of the Internal Security Forces Institute, Brigadier General Ahmad Abla; the Head of the Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Joseph Msallam; the Head of the Planning and Organization Division, Brigadier General Maroun El Khoury; the Head of the Administrative Affairs Division, Brigadier General Fadi El Hajj; and the Head of the Training Division, Brigadier General Troudi Al Qadi. This initiative comes within the framework of efforts to strengthen integration between security and academic institutions and to promote the concept of knowledge-based security, thereby contributing positively to the development of security performance and the enhancement of stability within Lebanese society.
20/06/2026
As part of the cooperation and coordination between the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces and civil society organizations, Dar Al-Amal Association organized a training session on “Gender Sensitivity” at the Women’s Prison in Tripoli on 20 May 2026. The session was attended by the Association’s social worker, Ms. Mona Issa, along with several association members and female prison guards. The training began with a welcome session and an explanation of its objectives, emphasizing the importance of gender-sensitive practices within the prison environment, particularly in relation to the treatment of female inmates and their specific needs. The session aimed to explain the concept of gender sensitivity, defined as an approach based on understanding the different needs and circumstances of women and men and taking them into account in daily practices to ensure fairness and non-discrimination. It also sought to raise awareness about the importance of addressing the specific needs of female inmates. Through interactive activities, the training highlighted key challenges faced by female prison officers, including issues related to motherhood, pregnancy, and difficult social circumstances that some inmates may have experienced before incarceration. The session also addressed the distinction between equity and equality, with participants emphasizing the importance of treating each inmate according to her individual circumstances and needs, while improving communication through active listening, support, and the reporting of complaints to the appropriate authorities. A dedicated segment focused on self-care and reflection, in recognition of the psychological and physical pressures faced by prison personnel in the course of their duties. At the conclusion of the training, participants expressed their satisfaction with the session, noting that it had enhanced their knowledge and provided them with new concepts and skills.
20/06/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division: On 22/05/2026, a workshop on the concept of community policing was inaugurated at the Jounieh Municipality building, with the participation of the Internal Security Forces, the Keserwan Federation of Municipalities, and the coastal municipalities, in coordination with “Siren Associates.” The workshop aimed to strengthen cooperation and coordination between security agencies, municipal police, and citizens, thereby contributing to the development of joint security work, enhancing preventive security, and reinforcing effective partnerships to preserve security and stability within cities and towns. On this occasion, the Commander of the Mount Lebanon Region in the Regional Gendarmerie Unit, Brigadier General Abdo Khalil, representing the Director General of the Internal Security Forces Major General Raed Abdallah, delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of continuous cooperation and coordination between security agencies and local authorities. He stressed that security work is based on service, trust, and partnership, and that ongoing communication between the Internal Security Forces and municipalities enhances preventive and proactive security and contributes to achieving the desired positive outcomes. For his part, the President of the Keserwan and Ftouh Federation of Municipalities, Mr. Elie Baaino, affirmed that security is not merely an organizational measure but rather the fundamental pillar of community stability. He emphasized that integration between municipal police and the Internal Security Forces creates a genuine safety network for society based on rapid response, information sharing, and teamwork. He considered security a shared responsibility and noted that sincere cooperation remains the shortest path toward a safer, more stable, and prosperous society. In turn, the Mayor of Jounieh, Mr. Fayçal Frem, highlighted the importance of launching the workshop on community policing, which strengthens cooperation between the Internal Security Forces, municipal police, and citizens, with the aim of consolidating a genuine partnership to preserve security, enhance stability, and serve citizens. Following the opening session, a workshop was held between officers of the Jounieh Company units, led by Company Commander Colonel Charbel Habib, and municipal police commissioners from the nine participating coastal municipalities. The session focused on discussing the mechanisms for implementing the concept of community policing, explaining its objectives, foundations, and role in enhancing cooperation between the Internal Security Forces, municipalities, and society.
20/06/2026
