United States Assistant Secretary of State David T. Johnson Visits Lebanon

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, David T. Johnson, visited Beirut March 30 and 31. He held meetings with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Minister of Interior and Municipal Affairs Hassan Sabaa, Director General of the Internal Security Forces, Achraf Rifi, Director General of General Security, Wafiq Jazzine, and Internal Security Forces (ISF) General Robert Jabbour. During his visit, Assistant Secretary Johnson reaffirmed the United States’ steadfast support of Lebanon and discussed the ongoing $60 million ISF assistance program, which is helping the ISF enforce the rule of law and protect the Lebanese people within their sovereign state.

The multi-year U.S. Government assistance program to the ISF is focused on training, equipment donations and infrastructure development. American police advisors are working with their Lebanese colleagues to train police recruits and instructors in modern police practices, administration, democratic policing, human rights, criminal investigations and other essential law enforcement skills. U.S.-sponsored training also assists Lebanese police advisers in drafting curriculum and training police recruits, skills which are essential for the sustainability of the program.

The U.S. Government has been assisting the ISF in its development since October 2006 through several different programs. These programs have provided 3000 sets of civil disorder management equipment to the ISF Mobile Forces, 60 new sports utility vehicles and duty gear to 4000 cadets in various ISF units, and new academy classrooms, offices and equipment with which to provide training. Over the next three months, 300 new police cars will be delivered, and the program will finance the establishment of a state-of-the-art central Command and Control Center in Beirut with technologically advanced communications equipment, computers and software. In addition, ten additional police substations will be refurbished throughout Lebanon, with the ultimate goal of providing communications connectivity to the entirety of the ISF. As the program develops further, additional classrooms will also be provided, police dormitories refurbished, and dining and kitchen facilities upgraded. In addition, a firing range for use in training recruits at Aramoun will soon be completed.

The professional development of the ISF is critical for Lebanon’s sovereignty and security. The United States Government is committed to supporting Lebanon, the ISF, and the Lebanese people. U.S. assistance to the ISF is an important part of the United States’ contribution to these efforts.

Read Assistant Secretary Johnson's remarks.