President Aoun Presides Over the 81st Anniversary of the Internal Security Forces: We Are in an Internal Struggle

President Joseph Aoun affirmed that he bows before the sacrifices of the Internal Security Forces, highlighting the achievements made by this institution in a short period. He added during his chairing of the celebration marking the 81st anniversary of the Internal Security Forces, held this afternoon at the General Directorate building in the Museum district: "I came to you because you are a model, and may God willing, you become a benchmark for all state institutions."

President Aoun stressed that human dignity lies in receiving services as they should be, without owing favors to anyone—this is their natural right. Addressing Internal Security Forces personnel, he said: "You uphold human dignity through the services you provide."

On another note, President Aoun emphasized that we are "in an internal struggle between people who do not want state institutions, who are the opposite of the state, and who thrive on their absence, versus us and you, who want the state and its institutions."

He continued: "We tell them, no matter what you do, we will persist—not for your sake, but for the citizen, who has a right to us."

President Aoun arrived at the General Directorate headquarters, where he was welcomed by Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad al-Hajjar and General Director of the Internal Security Forces Major General Hassan Shqayr. The national anthem was played, followed by a presentation of a guard of honor from the Internal Security Forces. President Aoun then laid a floral wreath on the monument honoring Internal Security Forces martyrs, while music played the funeral march.

Subsequently, President Aoun and Minister al-Hajjar proceeded to Major General Shqayr’s office, where a meeting was held to brief the President on the achievements realized by the Internal Security Forces over the past year across the country. They also listened to a presentation by Colonel Fadi Harb, head of the digitization office within the Internal Security Forces, on the implementation of electronic services adopted by the agency to facilitate citizen transactions and improve service delivery, particularly the biometric passport.

Thereafter, President Aoun, Minister al-Hajjar, and Major General Shqayr moved to the conference hall within the General Directorate building, where the celebration began with the national anthem, followed by the Internal Security Forces anthem. This was followed by a documentary film showcasing the accomplishments achieved by the Internal Security Forces across all sectors during the past year, including in centers in Beirut, throughout Lebanese regions, and at Rafic Hariri International Airport.

The documentary also highlighted the services provided by the Internal Security Forces in several Lebanese embassies abroad to facilitate the issuance of new passports.

Speech by Major General Shqayr

Major General Shqayr delivered the following speech:

"We gather today within the framework of the 81st anniversary of the Internal Security Forces—a moment that is not merely an annual commemoration of an security institution, but a national milestone where we retrace the path of an institution whose history is intertwined with that of the Lebanese state, having accompanied every critical phase our nation has experienced, remaining steadfast in serving Lebanon and its people.

In this occasion, it is my honor, on behalf of myself and all officers, non-commissioned officers, and personnel of the Internal Security Forces, to extend our highest expressions of gratitude and appreciation to His Excellency President General Joseph Aoun for his patronage and support of security and military institutions, and for his continuous commitment to reinforcing state authority and enhancing the presence and strength of its institutions.

I also extend my thanks to His Excellency Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Colonel Ahmad al-Hajjar, under whose guidance and oversight we operate, and to all officials who follow the journey of the Internal Security Forces and strive to empower it to fulfill its assigned duties.

Mr. President, the Internal Security Forces is not merely a security and administrative body, but one of the pillars of the state. Its core mission is to serve national security and stability, and to serve the citizen by safeguarding their dignity and rights.

Experience has shown that true security does not rest solely on force, but on law, discipline, respect, the ability to anticipate risks, and coordination among all state institutions.

From this standpoint, the Internal Security Forces continues to enhance its capabilities and readiness to confront growing challenges, including terrorism, organized crime, smuggling networks, transnational crimes, cyber security threats, and illegal migration—all of which threaten Lebanon’s security and stability.

Major General Shqayr emphasized: "The security of the citizen remains at the heart of our priorities. Every citizen visiting Internal Security Forces centers to obtain a passport, residency permit, or complete any other transaction must feel that the state is present beside them, and that the institution represented by the Internal Security Forces is one that embraces the citizen, safeguards their dignity, and protects their rights. We have worked, and continue to work, on modernizing administration, increasing reliance on technology, and advancing digital transformation to deliver services faster, more transparently, and more effectively—aligning with the demands of a modern state."

Shqayr noted that Lebanon today faces exceptional challenges—political, economic, security-related, and social—and no single institution can overcome these alone. He added: "Protecting Lebanon is a shared national responsibility, grounded in the unity of the state and the integration of its military and security institutions, cooperation and coordination among them, and adherence to the constitution and laws. We believe that the strength of the state lies in its institutions, and that the state’s authority is not built on slogans, but on the rule of law, justice, institutional work, and public trust in its institutions."

He continued: "Mr. President, in this context, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the Internal Security Forces remains a national, inclusive institution operating according to law, respecting Lebanon’s diversity, and placing national interest above all else.

We also affirm that Lebanon’s relations with sister and friendly countries, and security cooperation with them, constitute a fundamental element in confronting shared risks and protecting Lebanon’s internal stability."

Addressing officers and military personnel, Shqayr said: "On your holiday, I address you with words of appreciation and pride. You who work in silence, bear responsibility under the most difficult conditions, and fulfill your duty away from the spotlight.

Lebanon’s security is a trust, and preserving it is a responsibility. I always say in meetings that His Excellency entrusted us with this trust, and we must rise to meet it, fully aware of the magnitude of responsibility placed upon us."

He expressed special thanks to "the families of Internal Security Forces martyrs, who paid the highest price for Lebanon." Speaking directly to them, he said: "The sacrifices of your sons will remain alive in the institution’s conscience, and their names will forever be part of the Internal Security Forces’ history and the nation’s memory."

He stated: "Mr. President, on the occasion of the Internal Security Forces’ 81st anniversary, we renew our pledge to remain loyal to Lebanon, to its state, institutions, constitution, and laws. We will meet our responsibilities, work for national security, protect the citizen, preserve the state’s dignity, and confront all threats, regardless of their nature, with unwavering determination, advanced security thinking, and deep-rooted faith in Lebanon."

Major General Shqayr concluded: "I can only say to the men of the Internal Security Forces: Be as you have always been—watchful eyes over the nation’s security, faithful hands in service to the citizen, a shield for the state, and a shining face for Lebanon.

Long live the Internal Security Forces, long live our security and military institutions, and long live Lebanon.

Thank you, Mr. President.

May God protect this institution, and may the Lord of the worlds grant you strength and strengthen Lebanon, if He wills."

Speech by Minister al-Hajjar

Then Minister al-Hajjar delivered a speech stating: "Welcome to you all at the Internal Security Forces. Greetings to Your Excellency for all the efforts you make, and certainly for the efforts made by the entire government, primarily, to pull Lebanon out of the crisis it is enduring, and to liberate Lebanon, starting from its south, striving to secure safety and stability throughout Lebanon. Your presence here, Mr. President, specifically at the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces, sends a powerful message of support to all Lebanese security institutions, to the Ministry of Interior institutions, and especially to the Lebanese Internal Security Forces.

He added: "Mr. President, the Lebanese Internal Security Forces have made remarkable strides during the one-and-a-half years under Major General Shqayr’s leadership. I was here a year ago, at the previous anniversary, and we witnessed tremendous progress across all fronts: in digital transformation, in upgrading Internal Security Forces centers, in developing and improving services offered to the public, and in strengthening security and stability. Of course, the General Director, along with all his officers, non-commissioned officers, and personnel, are making great efforts. We entrust you, Mr. President, that your presence with us gives us additional strength, and may God willing, we entrust you and all Lebanese citizens that we will rise to meet our responsibilities through enhanced security and stability, further development, and greater digital transformation—as we have seen in the various services the Internal Security Forces are working to develop and improve."

Minister al-Hajjar wished that "the Internal Security Forces become, as they should, a successful model, and that all Lebanese state institutions likewise succeed."

He concluded: "We say to all officers, non-commissioned officers, and personnel of the Internal Security Forces, led by the General Director: May you have a happy year ahead."

Speech by President Aoun

Finally, President Aoun delivered a speech stating: "I came here not only to participate in your 81st anniversary, but to bow before the shrine of Internal Security Forces martyrs and before your sacrifices and unyielding resolve that have achieved these accomplishments. I came not to give you morale, but to draw morale from you. I came because you are a model, and may God willing, you become a benchmark for all state administrations. Great credit goes to you, because a successful person, a successful leader, and a successful manager reveal their success in difficult times. Credit does not belong to those who succeed when financial conditions are excellent, security is stable, and the economy is strong. No. It is the successful manager and leader who emerges in difficult circumstances—and that is exactly what you are. You exist to deliver services to citizens. And I exist to deliver services to citizens. We are all serving the citizen. Human dignity is not preserved only for the wealthy. Human dignity does not require a person to be rich. Human dignity lies in receiving services as they should be, without owing favors to anyone. This is their natural right. And you uphold human dignity through the services you provide. In a short span—about one and a half years, which is not a long time—you have achieved these accomplishments. You have advanced and improved. I know you will continue to improve and evolve even further. Despite difficult circumstances, because you believe in your institution—the Internal Security Forces—and in Lebanon, your homeland. No person with a cause they do not believe in can achieve success. I came here to say from the heart: thank you, and to bow before your sacrifices and achievements. I know conditions are hard, but you are more than equal to the responsibility. When there is strong will, all obstacles and barriers vanish. I came to express heartfelt thanks to you, to congratulate you, to stand with you, and to tell you: do not be affected by the media, nor by what social media platforms publish. They do this because you are working and achieving results. That is why they attack you. Is not the fruitful tree the one that gets pelted with stones? The more they attack you, the stronger you become. You must take pride and not be shaken. Unfortunately, this is the era we live in. We are in a struggle. Alongside the conflict with Israel in the south, there is an internal struggle between people who do not want state institutions, who are the opposite of the state, and who live off their absence, and between us and you, who want the state and its institutions. We tell them: no matter what you do, we will persist—not for your sake, but for the citizen, who has a right to us. And whoever holds power yet cannot bear the responsibility of decisions taken is not worthy of being in that position. But this does not apply to you. You are equal to the responsibility, and you shoulder the burden of decisions despite everything you endure. Do not respond to anyone. Let your achievements speak for you, and let your sacrifices speak for you. Believe me, people see what you do, and this will gradually become evident. We say to you: onward, not for a thousand years, but for many years, with constant advancement, for the sake of serving the citizen and serving Lebanon. I repeat: I bow before you, before your sacrifices, and I wish to thank you. Live well, long live the Internal Security Forces, and long live Lebanon."

Afterward, President Aoun, Minister al-Hajjar, and Major General Shqayr cut the celebratory cake.

Visit to the New Electronic Entrance

Immediately afterward, everyone moved to the main building of the Internal Security Forces, opposite the Justice Palace, where President Aoun inspected the new electronic entrance, where citizens submit their applications and requests are electronically sorted by type. President Aoun asked citizens present at the center whether their procedures were smooth and fast, and they confirmed that the new measures had greatly eased their tasks and saved time.

Immediately thereafter, President Aoun proceeded to the site where, alongside Minister al-Hajjar and Major General Shqayr, he laid the cornerstone for the Internal Security Forces Medical Building within the General Directorate compound.

President Aoun concluded his visit to the Internal Security Forces by touring the Public Relations Directorate building, where, in the presence of Minister al-Hajjar and Major General Shqayr, he met with its head, Colonel Ramzi Rami, and received an update on the facilitations provided to citizens to complete their transactions."