ISF Completes Command Council Appointments

A decree on the formation of the Internal Security forces command council was approved by President Michel Suleiman, PM Najib Miqati, Finance Minister Mohammed Safadi and Interior Minister Marwan Charbel on Tuesday.

An Nahar newspaper reported on Wednesday that the selected officers who were tasked to lead the units were already filling the same posts as caretakers.

They form a council from 11 members headed by Internal Security forces Director General Major General Ashraf Rifi.

Charbel told As Safir newspaper that the formation of the council is a new start for the ISF.

He stressed “the Command Council will work away from any sectarian or political issues.”

“It will carry out the appointments or transfers within the ISF on the basis of the right person in the right position,” Charbel told the daily.

The Command Council includes the following 11 officers: ISF director general Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi, Brig. Gen. Joseph al-Hajal as chief of staff, Brig. Gen. Salah Gebran as police commander, Brig. Gen. Naji al-Masri as commander of the Judicial Police, Brig. Gen. Ahmad Hneineh as commander of the Beirut Police, Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous as commander of the ISF Institute, Brig. Gen. Lahoud al-Tannouri as commander of the Social Services Unit, Brig. Gen. Robert Jabbour as Mobile Forces, Brig. Gen. Roger Salem as General Inspector, Brig. Gen. Mahmoud Ibrahim as commander of the Embassy Security Unit and Brig. Gen. Mohammad Qassem as Central Administration.