The security plan for Beirut, which was developed based on the recommendations of caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi, was launched on Wednesday morning.
“I have instructed everyone to be on the ground, and we have increased the presence of security services, following a rise in crime-related complaints, especially in Beirut and its suburbs,” Mawlawi informed MTV Lebanon.
These recommendations were developed by the Interior Minister following a security meeting specifically focused on the capital city, which took place ten days ago and was attended by representatives from the army and various security agencies.
As part of the security plan, strict measures have been implemented to uphold order. These include round-the-clock patrols by road traffic units in Beirut, the southern suburbs, and Jdeideh, alongside Internal Security Forces (ISF) units.
Security forces will be positioned at the entrances to the capital, as well as on its main roads and in neighborhoods, to enforce laws against offenses committed by motorcyclists, particularly those without helmets or proper documentation, and against Syrians residing illegally in Lebanon.
Similarly, drivers with unregistered vehicles or lacking permits for tinted windows will be prosecuted. Syrian drivers illegally present in Lebanon will also face prosecution.
Mawlawi assured that security will be increased in and around Beirut, including the airport road and the southern suburbs of the capital. Daily reports will be issued on the outcomes of the security plan, the caretaker minister said, noting that “the majority of crimes are hard to predict” and that “most of them are personal” and “non-terrorist.”
“A significant portion of these crimes is also linked to the Syrian presence in Lebanon,” he added.
In this regard, he emphasized the importance of “coordination between the various security services to monitor the entrances to Beirut, as many crimes are committed there by individuals who do not reside in the capital and often use motorcycles or vehicles with irregular documentation.”
“The security plan succeeded in Tripoli, and will also succeed in Beirut and its vicinities,” concluded the Interior Minister.
