General Security Chief Hassan Choucair announced in an interview with al-Joumhouria, published Tuesday, that the individuals arrested in connection with the recent rocket fire were cleared of any involvement in the attack. However, he added that two detainees remain in custody — one Lebanese citizen for deserting the army and one Syrian national for residing in the country illegally.

At the end of March, three rockets fired from southern Lebanon were intercepted over the town of Metula in northern Israel, jeopardizing the status quo that the cease-fire agreement, which ended the Israel-Hezbollah war, established in November.

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The Lebanese Army was quick to state that it had found “improvised” rocket launchers near Arnoun (Nabatieh), north of the Litani River. Primitive in design, these launch platforms made of wood bear the signature of Palestinian cells.

Choucair stated, "We have found that the individuals arrested by General Security in connection with the rocket fire have no relation to the launch. However, we have kept two of them in detention — one Lebanese for deserting the army, and the other Syrian due to his illegal status."

 He added that "any threat to Lebanon's security is unacceptable."

'General Security transactions to be fully online by end of year'

Choucair also said that by the end of this year, transactions and fee payments will be fully available online.

He emphasized that this development was part of the agency's ongoing efforts to streamline processes and reduce the time and effort required for individuals to access services.

"We are working hard to provide citizens with the services they are entitled to, in the quickest and most accessible way possible," Choucair said. He added that the online system will eliminate the need for in-person visits, saving considerable time for both citizens and General Security personnel.

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Choucair also highlighted that the agency is taking steps to improve internal efficiency, with a strong focus on adhering to strict deadlines for processing applications.

"We are making every effort to ensure that services are delivered on time, without delays," he stated.

He also highlighted the activation of the "fast service," a globally recognized concept that aims to expedite transaction processing for an additional fee. The proceeds from this service will be used to enhance the financial situation of General Security personnel, who work 20 days a month instead of the usual 14.

Additionally, Choucair said that Minister of Public Works Fayez Rassamny signed a contract with a French company worth $950,000 to develop the software for Beirut airport to avoid pressure during the summer.

"We will also rely on a new group of 500 volunteers for General Security to improve preparedness at the airport and ensure a smooth reception of incoming passengers, regardless of the volume," he said.

He also pointed out that some of these volunteers would be deployed at the eastern and northern border crossings, where monitoring systems and administrative patterns will be activated. Choucair disclosed that an agreement with a Danish entity was in place to develop the Masnaa border crossing, which would improve control over this vital crossing.

Regarding the border with Syria, Choucair said that the situation was now under control, especially with regard to official crossings. As for unofficial crossings, coordination was underway with the authorities in Damascus to address them, in line with the Jeddah Agreement, which also includes the need to demarcate borders and regulate the passage of Iraqi fuel through Syrian territory.

"We are satisfied with the progress of this matter," he added.

The Masnaa border crossing has, at times, been used for illegal crossings. Over recent years, there have been frequent incidents of individuals attempting to enter Lebanon without proper documentation. One of the key areas of concern is the stretch between Masnaa and the Anjar Valley, which has become a hotspot for illegal border activity.

The Lebanese Army, in coordination with other security agencies such as the General Security, has been actively monitoring these areas and has arrested a significant number of Syrians attempting to cross into Lebanon illegally.

Iraq ready to assist Lebanon ‘despite its own economic challenges’

Regarding his recent visit to Iraq, Choucair explained that it was carried out at the request of President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

During the visit, he discussed the possibility of rebuilding schools and public hospitals damaged in the border strip.

"I submitted a complete list of names," he said, praising Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for being responsive to this request despite his country's own economic challenges.

The overall reconstruction and recovery needs for Lebanon are estimated at $18 billion, according to World Bank figures.

The destruction of roughly 269,000 housing units, or 16 percent of Lebanon's housing units, has generated at least 32 million tons of debris during 13 months of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, the CNRS said in a report in April.

Choucair noted that he also discussed obtaining an additional quantity of fuel for displaced Lebanese persons who have not yet returned to their homes due to the recent Israeli aggression. This was in preparation for the upcoming winter season.

He commended Iraq's contribution to providing Lebanon with fuel and their patience in waiting for Lebanon to settle its financial obligations. "The Iraqi officials are dealing with us with fraternity, especially the Iraqi Prime Minister, who personally works on finding legal and constitutional solutions to assist Lebanon," he said.

At the end of March, Sudani announced that his country would supply fuel to Lebanon for a period of six months.

A fuel supply contract has been concluded between Lebanon and Iraq as part of the agreement signed in the summer of 2021, which has been renewed since then.

This agreement stipulates that Iraq, through SOMO (the public agency responsible for marketing Iraqi oil), will provide a monthly shipment of crude oil to a third-party company, which, in return, delivers an amount of fuel compatible with Lebanon’s Electricité du Liban (EDL) power plants, with the value equivalent to the crude oil received.

Choucair expressed satisfaction with the overall security situation, noting "high levels of coordination and information exchange between all security and military agencies."