The Director General of General Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, received a delegation from the Union of Lebanese Press Editors in his office at the directorate, which included the syndicate president Joseph Khosiefi, his deputy Ghassan Rifi, Secretary George Shahin, and members Nafeth Kawwas, Wasef Awada, Salah Taqi al-Din, and Yumna Shukr Ghreib.
The meeting began with a speech from Khosiefi, who indicated that "Lebanon is at a crossroads, heavily wounded, suffering from a decline in the quality of life for its citizens on various levels. I do not know what miracle has spared it from falling into total security chaos and returning to internal wars disguised in different forms. However, this nation, governed by hatred, divisions, and political strife that sometimes touch sectarian and confessional boundaries, does not lack figures of high national stature who confront challenges and problems with a spirit of responsibility and complete commitment to Lebanon's interest, unity, and stability."
He said, "And you, Your Excellency, are at the forefront of those we mentioned, and we do not need to remind you of the difficult files you have handled, many of which have resulted in successes that benefitted the nation and society. Your role in the maritime border demarcation file was significant, and you worked on it professionally and quietly, as your goal was to achieve outcomes that respond to Lebanon's demands, which are its legitimate rights, and acknowledging them is not a favor from anyone despite the activities of intermediaries and their movements."
He added, "We know that you continue your efforts to form a fully qualified government to accompany the phase following President Michel Aoun’s term, which is nearing its end, amid the inability to elect a new president within the constitutional timeframe. Do you find that Lebanon will witness the birth of such a government in the coming days, or will complications lead to the continuation of the caretaker government? If the anticipated government is to come about, will it be a replication of its predecessor, or an amended version of it after smoothing over corners? And what about passports and the citizens’ suffering?"
Khosiefi concluded by praising "the national role that General Ibrahim is playing at the helm of the General Directorate of General Security, which has turned into a qualitative institution that occupies a prominent position alongside some institutions that remain steadfast in facing problems and challenges."
In response, General Ibrahim said, "The miracle is what has protected Lebanon and prevented its security collapse, maintaining a reasonable and acceptable level of security. This is, of course, thanks to the Lebanese Army and all the security agencies that are suffering from financial and economic collapses. But more importantly, it returns to the ethics of the Lebanese people, the entrenched national spirit within them, and their belief in their homeland and hope that it will return and rise again."
Regarding the formation of the government, he said, "We all hope that a new government will be formed with all constitutional specifications, even though time is running short, and that we can overcome this problem by electing a new president."
To stay on the safe side and in anticipation of all possible outcomes, General Ibrahim stated, "We must elect a president within the constitutional timeframe before the 31st of this month, and that he be a consensus president capable of communicating with everyone inside and outside."
On completing the procedures related to the agreement on maritime borders, he clarified that "a Lebanese delegation will be formed to follow up on this within the established timetable." He added, "There is no need to issue a new decree regarding maritime borders, as Decree 6433, submitted to the United Nations since 2011, has not been amended concerning the maritime line and the accompanying coordinates."
General Ibrahim revealed that "the number of Syrians in Lebanon has reached approximately two million and 80 thousand, including displaced persons."
Regarding the mechanism that will be used to resume safe and voluntary return convoys, he said, "It is the same mechanism we have adopted since 2017, which has resulted in the return of approximately 485,000. The next batch will include 1,600 displaced persons, and we are awaiting responses regarding them from the Syrian authorities to determine their return date. We have not and will not wait for a green light from anyone to resume the return convoys, nor has anyone permitted us to do so before, nor inquired. If there is any change in the European stance regarding the return issue, it is due to the impact of illegal migration caravans that are knocking on their doors, and this could change the international approach to this file, as we are in a politically favorable moment to work on returning them to their countries."
Regarding the security situation, he stated, "It is under control, and as security agencies, we are prepared for the worst in all areas."
When asked about reports of terrorist groups entering Lebanon, he said, "We monitor every suspicious movement and deal with it to avert any danger threatening us. Most importantly, there is no incubating environment for terrorism and terrorists in any region of Lebanon now that every citizen has become a guardian."
As for the timeline for resolving the passport crisis, he stated, "The General Directorate will receive between 50,000 and 100,000 new passports by the middle of next month, which will provide partial relief before a batch of a million arrives in about four months."
Regarding the pressure on the appointment booking platform, General Ibrahim explained that "during the cleansing operations we initiated on the platform, we discovered nearly 100,000 fake requests, which caused long-term appointment scheduling for their applicants."
