Internal Security Forces Explained

Agencyname:	Internal Security Forces
Nativename:	French: Forces de sécurité intérieure
Nativenamea:	Arabic: قوى الأمن الداخلي
Abbreviation:	ISF
Logocaption:	Lebanese internal security forces logo
Flag:	InternalSecurityForcesLebanon.png
Flagcaption:	Flag of the Internal Security Forces
Motto:	Security for the Nation and Civilians
Formedyear:	1860
Employees:	40,000+
Country:	Lebanon
Gendarmerie:	yes
Speciality1:	paramilitary
Headquarters:	Beirut
Chief1name:	Major General Imad Osman
Chief1position:	Commander
Chief2name:	Brigadier General Naim Chammas
Chief2position:	Chief of Staff
Program1:	-->
Website:	isf.gov.lb

The Internal Security Forces (Arabic: المديرية العامة لقوى الأمن الداخلي|al-Mudiriyya al-'aamma li-Qiwa al-Amn al-Dakhili; French: Forces de Sécurité Intérieure; abbreviated ISF) are the gendarmerie and the national police of Lebanon.

Modern police were established in Lebanon in 1861, with the creation of a gendarmerie force.^[1] In April 2005, Ashraf Rifi became head of the ISF, replacing Ali Hajj.^[2] Rifi then started to recruit younger members to become part of Lebanese Intelligence. His term ended in April 2013, and he was replaced by Roger Salem,^[3] and Ibrahim Basbouss subsequently. On March 8, 2017, the Lebanese Cabinet appointed Imad Othman director-general of the ISF. He took command the following day.^[4]

The number of personnel reached 30,000 people by 2000 and has grown to over 40,000 by 2013. The ISF National Day in Lebanon is on the 9th of June.^[5]

Missions

Their missions include :

• Maintaining public order.^[6]
• Highway patrol.^[7]
• Counter-terrorism.^[8]

Organization

The ISF organization includes:^[9]

• The Ministry of the interior
• Inspector-General
• Directorate General of Internal Security Forces
  • Staff
  • Territorial Gendarmerie
  • Mobile Gendarmerie
  • Judicial Police
  • Central Administration
  • Beirut Police
  • ISF Institute
  • Social Services
  • Commander of the Security of Embassies and Public Administration

Elite Forces

Three Special Forces Teams operate in the ISF.

1. Special Operations Group-Judicial Police.
   It consists of SWAT unit and BRI unit.
2. Strike Force - Information Department.
3. Black Panthers - Mobile Forces

Directors

List of General Directors of ISF:^[10]

• Imad Othman, Major-General, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 2017
• Ibrahim Basbous, Major-General, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 2013 to 2017
• Ashraf Rifi, Major-General, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 2005 to 2013
• Ali Al Hajj, Major-General, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 2004 to 2005
• Marouan Zein, Major-General, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 2001 to 2004
• Abed El Karim Ibrahim, Major-General, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 1998 to 2001
• Rafic El Hassan, Major-General, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 1993 to 1998
• Mohammad Salim Kobrosly, Major-General, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 1990 to 1993
• Omar Makhzoumi, Major-General, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 1987 to 1990
• Osman Osman, Major-General, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 1983 to 1987
• Hicham El Chaar, Civilian, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 1982 to 1983
• Ahmad El Hajj, Major-General (Army), General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 1977 to 1982
• Hicham El Chaar, Civilian, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 1971 to 1977
• Mahmoud Hafez, Civilian, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 1970 to 1971
• Mahmoud El Banna, Civilian, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 1964 to 1970
• Jamil El Hosami, Leader (Army), General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 1962 to 1964
• Nureddine Rifai, Leader, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 1959 to 1962

See also

• General Security Directorate (Lebanon)
• Lebanese Air Force
• Lebanese Armed Forces
• Lebanese Navy

External links

• Lebanese Internal Security Forces

Notes and References

1. Web site: Historical overview. Interior Security Forces (Lebanon). 26 June 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20100923215609/http://www.isf.gov.lb/English/LeftMenu/General%20Info/History/Pages/History.aspx. 2010-09-23. dead.
2. News: Lebanese security chiefs replaced. BBC. 28 April 2005. 26 June 2007.
3. News: Rifi hands over police helm to Salem. 4 April 2013. The Daily Star. 30 March 2013.
4. News: Machnouk oversees Internal Security Forces director-general handover. 2017-03-09. The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon. 2017-03-09.
5. Web site: قوى الأمن الداخلي تحتفل بعيدها الخمسين بعد المئة الموقع الرسمي للجيش اللبناني. 2021-06-10. www.lebarmy.gov.lb.
6. Web site: The EU helps the Internal Security Forces to strengthen the rule of law in Lebanon [archive]. Enpi-info.eu. 3 November 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203011500/http://www.enpi-info.eu/mainmed.php?id_type=1&id=21542. 3 December 2013.
7. Web site: Nouveaux radars : Plus de 67.000 contraventions pour excès de vitesse en deux mois - B.B.. 7 January 2011. Lecommercedulevant.com. 3 November 2017.
8. Web site: GIGN: Visite d'une délégation de sécurité française au Liban. Gendarmerier.interieur.gouv.fr. 3 November 2017.
9. Web site: Archived copy . 2013-07-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130103063716/http://www.isf.gov.lb/English/LeftMenu/General%20Info/Organization/Pages/Organization.aspx . 2013-01-03 . dead .
10. Web site: Lebanese Internal Security - about. Isf.gov.lb. 2016-09-13.