UK Provides Additional Funding for ISF as Mashnouq Wraps Up London Visit

Britain announced Wednesday its intention to provide £13 million of additional funding for the Internal Security Forces, as Interior Minister Nouhad al-Machnouq ended a three-day visit to London.

“Building on previous work by the UK Government with the ISF, the additional funding will help build a modern professional police force,” the British embassy in Lebanon said in a statement.

“The money will go towards the building of police stations, spreading best practice in community policing, the embedding of human rights, and support to the Academy’s training programs, with 8,000 officers graduating this year,” it added.

British Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood noted that the ISF plays “a vital role for Lebanon’s security.”

“This new funding will enhance its capabilities during a time of significant regional instability,” he said, adding that Mashnouq has “a constructive plan to reform Lebanon's police service and build a force to serve all Lebanese communities.”

“This cooperation will enable Lebanon to manage the serious challenges it is facing, which include hosting more refugees as a percentage of the population than any country in the world, and the internal security challenges created by Daesh (Islamic State group),” Ellwood pointed out.

Machnouk for his part expressed gratitude to the British government, noting that he has “a strategic plan to reform the ISF in order to better enable it to serve the interests of all the Lebanese through the enhancement of their trust in the law enforcement authorities.”

“Lebanon and the United Kingdom are each committed to facing one common enemy which is terrorism,” he added.

“Our only choice is to continue to steadfastly combat terrorist security threats through increased training and the enhancement of the capabilities of our Internal Security Forces who are on the forefront in preserving the security of the Lebanese citizens,” the minister said.

Ambassador Shorter meanwhile declared that Britain's support to Lebanon “remains as resolute and strong as the country itself.”

Mashnouq's talks in London involved meetings with Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood, Secretary of State Justine Greening, Home Office Minister John Hayes and National Security Advisor Mark Lyall Grant.

“The visit enhanced bilateral ties between Lebanon and the UK and explored opportunities for co-operation on security and counter terrorism,” the British embassy said.

“In their discussions, Justine Greening and Minister Mashnouq focused on support for Lebanon during the Syrian refugee crisis, and the follow-up work which the UK and Lebanon are undertaking after the London Conference in February,” it added.

In the meeting with Ellwood, the UK minister discussed recent regional developments and “reiterated that the UK is keen to see the election of a President and ready to work with any candidate agreed upon by the Lebanese,” the embassy said.