Internal Security Forces

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This article is about the Lebanese security force. For Iraqi football club that once played under the name 'Internal Security Forces', see Al-Shorta SC. For the police of the de facto autonomous Rojava, see Asayish (NES regions).
Internal Security Forces
Forces de sécurité intérieure
قوى الأمن الداخلي
AbbreviationISF
MottoSecurity for the Nation and Civilians
Agency overview
Formed1860
Employees40,000+
Jurisdictional structure
General nature
Specialist jurisdiction
  • Paramilitary law enforcement, counter insurgency, and riot control.
Operational structure
HeadquartersBeirut
Agency executives
  • Major General Imad Osman, Commander
  • Brigadier General Naim Chammas, Chief of Staff
Notables
People
Website
isf.gov.lb

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

Modern police were established in Lebanon in 1861, with creation of the Gendarmerie.[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 :

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 Force[]

An elite company known as the black Panthers (Al Fouhoud) was established after the 2007 conflict. Regarded as the most advanced, well trained force in Lebanon, the number of ISF personnel in this rank is kept secret and unknown to both the public and international community. They are mostly engaged in the securing of hostages, SWAT team raids, and fighting terrorists. The Panthers use M4 Carbine, Heckler & Koch G36, and M24 Sniper Weapon System unlike the regular ISF personnel who use FN P90, AK-47s, and M16 rifles. M113, VAB, Sherpa Light, ivecoLMV, and VBTP-GUARANI armored personnel carriers are also in their use. Uniforms are a Brown/Grey/Maroon beret, and most of the Fouhouds wear full black outfits with black helmets and goggles.

Current Director[]

Imad Othman

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
  • Achraf Rifi, Major-General, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 2005 to 2013
  • Ali El 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
  • Nour Eddin Al Rifai, Leader, General Director of the Internal Security Forces from 1959 to 1962

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Historical overview". Interior Security Forces (Lebanon). Archived from the original on 2010-09-23. Retrieved 26 June 2007.
  2. ^ "Lebanese security chiefs replaced". BBC. 28 April 2005. Retrieved 26 June 2007.
  3. ^ "Rifi hands over police helm to Salem". The Daily Star. 30 March 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  4. ^ "Machnouk oversees Internal Security Forces director-general handover". The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon. 2017-03-09. Retrieved 2017-03-09.
  5. ^ "قوى الأمن الداخلي تحتفل بعيدها الخمسين بعد المئة | الموقع الرسمي للجيش اللبناني". www.lebarmy.gov.lb. Retrieved 2021-06-10.
  6. ^ "The EU helps the Internal Security Forces to strengthen the rule of law in Lebanon [archive]". Enpi-info.eu. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  7. ^ "Nouveaux radars : Plus de 67.000 contraventions pour excès de vitesse en deux mois - B.B." Lecommercedulevant.com. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  8. ^ "GIGN: Visite d'une délégation de sécurité française au Liban". Gendarmerier.interieur.gouv.fr. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  9. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-01-03. Retrieved 2013-07-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ^ "Lebanese Internal Security - about". Isf.gov.lb. Retrieved 2016-09-13.

External links[]

Military offices
Preceded by
Roger Salem
 Ibrahim Basbouss Succeeded by
Imad Othman
Retrieved from ""