Over 700 arrests and millions of dollars recovered in 2025

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s State Security reported filing hundreds of cases and arresting 716 people nationwide in 2025 for crimes ranging from drugs and terrorism to theft, forgery, and illegal weapons possession.

The agency also specified that it "conducted dozens of investigations related to financial and administrative corruption in the public sector and to tax fraud offenses," according to the text.

The report also stated that State Security "managed to recover tens of millions of dollars, as well as significant amounts in Lebanese pounds, which were transferred to the public treasury, as part of its efforts to safeguard public funds and prosecute those responsible for financial crimes affecting the state's reserves."

For example, State Security announced in September the discovery of "major financial irregularities" at the Port of Beirut, involving more than a million dollars in unpaid bills by operating companies.

In November, the Directorate General of State Security also uncovered the embezzlement of about $260,000 from the coffers of Beirut Municipality, following a judicial investigation into irregular financial payments to employees of the capital's fire department.

Security forces visit Aoun

On the occasion of the year-end holidays, delegations from security services paid visits to President Joseph Aoun at the Baabda Palace.

Meeting a delegation from State Security, headed by Director General Gen. Edgar Lawandos, Aoun praised the agency’s success in anti-corruption operations, saying they had restored the state’s prestige and boosted public revenues.

Addressing a delegation from the General Security Directorate, led by Gen. Hassan Shoucair, the president said their work was a source of pride, stressing that security drives economic growth, not the other way around.

To the delegation of the Internal Security Forces (ISF), headed by Gen. Raed Abdallah, Aoun credited coordination among security agencies with helping stabilize the country.

Speaking to the Lebanese Army command, led by Gen. Rodolphe Haykal, Aoun said history would record that the army saved Lebanon in the past and continues to do so, noting its sensitive role in the disarmament of militias, including Hezbollah, despite domestic and international criticism.

Finally, Aoun told a delegation from Customs, headed by acting Director General Raymond Khoury, that the state would work to modernize and mechanize customs services in line with international standards.