internal security forces

How Hezbollah's Coordination Unit Continues to Influence Lebanese Security

The Lebanese Armed Forces’ (LAF) recent raids in a southern suburb of Beirut to apprehend gunmen were coordinated with Hezbollah’s Liaison and Coordination Unit, a security source told This Is Beirut, highlighting the unit’s continuing influence over security measures in Lebanon. In a tense standoff Sunday, Hezbollah supporters blocked ...

Lebanese and Syrian Security Forces Bust Cross-Border Drug Ring

The Lebanese General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division announced in an official statement on Wednesday a series of coordinated operations targeting drug trafficking networks operating across borders. According to the statement, the operation was carried out as part of ongoing efforts by the Central ...

Parking Dispute Involving Shia Residents Escalates into North Beirut Church Incident

According to Lebanese media reports, a confrontation broke out Saturday in Fanar’s Ras el-Rouissat area in north Beirut between a municipal police officer and two individuals from the Shia neighborhood of el-Rouissat over a parking dispute. A local witness, identified as M. Hanna, told This is Beirut that the two men assaulted the officer ...

Lebanon Steps Up Security Measures Amid Displacement Crisis

Lebanese authorities have stated their intentions to increase security measures across the country following rising tensions over the ongoing conflict and a mounting displacement crisis. Tensions peaked following the government’s controversial decision to set up a camp for the displaced in the majority-Christian area of Karantina on Beirut’s ...

Displacement Fuels Fears of Hezbollah Infiltration Across Lebanon

From Beirut’s suburbs to the Beqaa valley, to Druze strongholds in the eastern Chouf and Aley, and north across the Christian belt from the mountain resorts to the coast, fears are rising that Hezbollah operatives may be among the growing numbers of displaced Shia families. Israeli assassination strikes in historically-neutral parts of ...

Crackdown on Unlicensed Weapons Amid Displacement Wave

A decision issued Wednesday following coordination between Adel Nassar and Public Prosecutor Judge Jamal Hajjar warned that any Lebanese citizen found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, regardless of its type, will be immediately arrested, referred to the military court, and have the weapon confiscated. The Public Prosecutor at the Court of ...

Lebanon, France Postpone Paris Security and Disarmament Conference Amid Regional Tension

Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed in a phone call on March 1 to postpone the international conference in Paris, originally scheduled for March 5, which aimed to support Lebanon’s security forces and advance disarmament of non-state armed groups. The leaders cited the absence of appropriate ...

Cairo Hosts Preparatory Meeting for Conference Supporting Lebanese Armed Forces

A preparatory meeting for the upcoming international conference in support of the Lebanese Armed Forces and security services was held Tuesday in Cairo, bringing together Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, Internal Security Forces Director General Major General Raed Abdallah, and representatives from several countries. During the ...

French FM: Iran Must Stop Being a 'Destabilizing Power'

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said during a visit to Lebanon that Iran should stop being a "destabilizing power", citing its nuclear program and support for "terrorist" groups that threaten regional and European countries. During a press conference in Beirut, where the government has committed to disarming the ...

Aoun Hails State Control of Arms and Pledges Continued Reforms

President Joseph Aoun stressed on Tuesday that the Lebanese government last year took a historic step by endorsing a plan aimed at confining weapons to state authority and extending state control over Lebanese territory exclusively through its own forces, calling the move a major turning point despite the challenges of implementation. Addressing ...

Lebanon Probes Officer’s Disappearance Amid Suspected Mossad Involvement

Lebanese security is conducting investigations under the supervision of Public Prosecutor Judge Jamal Hajjar into the disappearance of retired General Security officer Ahmad Shukr, who has been missing for a week, amid conflicting information about his fate, according to a judicial source quoted by Saudi daily Asharq al Awsat. The source ...

Cabinet Set to Discuss Arms Control, Electoral Law Amendments

The Cabinet is set to convene Thursday afternoon at the Presidential Palace in Baabda. The session is expected to focus on two major issues: the nationwide arms control plan and proposed amendments to the electoral law. Arms control plan The first agenda item will involve a presentation by the Lebanese Armed Forces on the progress of the ...