Internal Security Forces

The Internal Security Forces (ISF)/Forces de Sécurité Intérieure(FSI) is the national police and security force of Lebanon. Modern police were established in Lebanon in 1861, with creation of the Gendarmerie. [cite web |url=http://www.isf.gov.lb/English/LeftMenu/General+Info/History/ |title=Historical overview |publisher=Interior Security Forces (Lebanon) |accessdate=2007-06-26] In April 2005, Gen Ashraf Rifi became head of the ISF, replacing Gen Ali Hajj. [cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4495103.stm |title=Lebanese security chiefs replaced |publisher=BBC |date=April 28, 2005 |accessdate=2007-06-26]

Historical overview

Lebanon did not have a police organization, in the modern and legal meaning, before the creation of the Lebanese Gendarmerie by virtue of the 1861 protocol. Before that year, the Lebanese Emirs, with the help of their armed men, were in charge of policing, law enforcement and tax-collection.

The mandate of Emir Fakhreddine II

Emir Fakhreddine II is the founder of the modern Lebanese State. After a perturbed childhood, he acceded in 1589 and started working for the unification of the country, by destroying some independent objecting Lebanese families. In order to keep order and execute the usual police missions, the Emir created a group of armed men, “Zelems”, i.e. direct servants. There were also other little groups of “Zelems” for feudal lords. when internal disorders used to threaten the security of the country, the Emir did not hesitate to ask for the help of his professional elements “The Sikmans”, who were foreign mercenaries. Nevertheless, he avoided the participation of “Bedouins”.

Missions

The law No.17 , of September 6th ,1990 defines the I.S.F as a public armed forces whose jurisdiction covers the whole Lebanese territory and the territorial waters and air .

The I.S.F missions are:
* The administrative police:
** Keeps order and security.
** Assures public order.
** Protects people and properties.
** Assures the execution of law and legal rules.
** protects freedom within the limits of law.

* The Judicial police:
** Executes the charges and rogatory letters .
** Executes the judicial judgments and warrants.
** Achieves the missions of the judicial police.

* In other fields:
** Supports the public authorities in carrying out their duties .
** Guards the public administration, pursuant to the decision of the competent authorities.
** Guards and administrates prisons when need be.
** Guards the diplomatic missions in Lebanon.

According to article (2) of the same law, the I.S.F are subject to the authority of the Minister of the Interior and to the military laws and rules with the exclusion of the exception defined by other laws and rules.

The rights of the I.S.F when executing their missions, are:
* Requesting identity documents.
* Searching people.
* Arresting people (in application of a legal judgment or warrant or immediately in the act )
* Entering houses:
** At night:
*** In cases of danger like fire or flood.
*** When calls of help emanate from the house.
*** for searching in emergency cases.
** At day:
*** In the cases where entry is permitted during the night.
*** In order to investigate a crime that was perpetrated in the house.
*** To search the house of a suspect.
*** To execute judicial warrants and decisions.
* Seizing prohibited substances.
* Establishing check-points.
* Using arms, when all the other means were exhausted and in the following cases:
** Based on an order from the administrative authority during a policing operation.
** To avoid being demilitarized.
** To defend the places subject to their guard.
** To preserve in custody the persons in their charge or to protect them.
** To arrest the suspected persons or those who run away from them and neglect their order to freeze.
** To stop the vehicles that proceed through their check-points despite their warning.
** In justified self-defense.

Duties of the I.S.F agents

* They are subject to the general obligations of the civil servants and to the sanctions and sanction aggravations, stipulated in the law and applied when the latters commit offences during services
* To rescue every person in danger.
* To report the crimes they witness or they are informed of .
* To safeguard the public and private properties especially in case of catastrophes and dangerous accidents.
* Not to disturb people in their privacies except for the cases stipulated in the law.
* To avoid any act of violence if not necessary.
* To preserve professional secrecy.

ee also

* General Security Directorate (Lebanon)

* Lebanese Armed Forces

References

External links

* [http://www.isf.gov.lb/English/Header/Home+Page/Homepage.htm Lebanese Internal Security Forces]