'We are in an internal conflict with those who do not want state institutions,' Aoun says from General Security

BEIRUT — Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Thursday, in a speech marking the 81st anniversary of General Security (GS), that Lebanon is currently facing an "internal conflict" between those seeking to restore the state and make its institutions function, and those seeking "to take advantage of the absence of the state." The pointed remarks come as Aoun has sought since taking office to disarm militias, chief among them Hezbollah, fight corruption within government administrations and push through a series of reforms.

In addition to its security duties at the country’s entry and exit points, General Security is responsible for a range of administrative services, including issuing passports to Lebanese citizens and residence permits to foreigners. Speaking at the newly renovated GS headquarters, Aoun praised the institution’s "progress" — including its efforts to digitize some of its services — despite the "difficult circumstances" it faces.

According to Aoun, these improvements have prompted media and social media campaigns against General Security. The institution has come under particular scrutiny after granting former Iranian Ambassador to Beirut Mohammad Reza Shibani a courtesy residence permit allowing him to remain in Lebanon, despite the Foreign Ministry having declared him persona non grata several months earlier. In recent months, media reports have also accused GS of issuing forged passports, allegations the institution has repeatedly denied, stressing that fraud occurs in documents submitted to obtain passports. The judiciary has opened an investigation into the matter.

Against this backdrop, Aoun said that “effective and productive institutions are always subject to criticism, but they continue their work nonetheless.” He described an “internal conflict, in addition to the one led by Israel in the South, between those who do not want state institutions, who criticize them and take advantage of their absence, and you and us, who want to build the state.” “We are all in the service of the citizen, who has the natural right to benefit from public services, without this becoming a favor granted to him.”