Internal Security Forces

The Internal Security Forces (المديرية العامة لقوى الأمن الداخلي; 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. In April 2005, Ashraf Rifi became head of the ISF, replacing Ali Hajj. 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, 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.

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.

Missions
Their missions include :
 * Maintaining public order.
 * Highway patrol.
 * Counter-terrorism.

Organization
The ISF organization includes:


 * 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:
 * 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