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.”
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: The Internal Security Forces organized a three-day training and educational camp for the children of ISF officers at the headquarters of the Mobile Forces Unit – Martyr Major General Wissam El-Hassan Barracks in Dbayeh, on 24, 26, and 27 August 2026. The camp aimed to provide participants with a comprehensive educational experience, introducing them to the principles of military life, strengthening their sense of discipline, responsibility, and commitment, and fostering cooperation, teamwork, and a sense of belonging to the institution and the nation. The program featured a variety of military, educational, and recreational activities, including an introduction to the Mobile Forces Unit and its duties, honor and flag-raising ceremonies, physical exercises, field and maritime activities, horseback riding, shooting, and rappelling training. The camp also included lectures and awareness activities addressing several topics, particularly the risks of cybercrime and the misuse of social media, as well as the dangers of drugs and their impact on individuals, families, and society. By combining training and discipline with education and recreation, the camp enabled participants to acquire new skills in a safe and organized environment and gain a closer understanding of the duties and responsibilities carried out by the Internal Security Forces. At the conclusion of the camp, Mobile Forces Unit Commander Brigadier General Tony Matta presented participants with certificates of participation, encouraging them to uphold the values of discipline, responsibility, courage, cooperation, respect for the law, and service to society and the nation, while strengthening their connection to the security institution in which their parents serve
12/09/2026
As part of initiatives aimed at providing spiritual and humanitarian support to female inmates, the General Prison Chaplaincy in Lebanon, in cooperation with the Internal Security Forces, organized a spiritual recital on 19 August 2026 at the Baabda Women’s Prison, featuring religious singer Elisabeth Bou Saad, accompanied by musician Alain Chalhoub. The event also included humanitarian and social initiatives. The “Lebanon of Tomorrow” association distributed essential women’s supplies to the inmates, while “Matbakh Mariam” (Mary’s Kitchen), in cooperation with Father Hani Tawk, provided them with lunch following the recital. The event was attended by the regional chaplain for Mount Lebanon, Father Nehmatallah Saghbini; the chaplain of Baabda Prison, Father Charbel Azar; journalist Fares Karam; as well as several members of the General Prison Chaplaincy and the “Lebanon of Tomorrow” association. This initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen spiritual and humanitarian support for female inmates and maintain meaningful engagement with them, helping foster an atmosphere of solidarity and support within the prison.
12/09/2026
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.
12/09/2026
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.
12/09/2026
