The European Union launched today the Security Sector Reform (SSR) Lebanon project, which provides technical assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces and the General Directorate of General Security to support the security sector reforms undertaken by the Lebanese authorities.
The first steering committee of the project took place at the Officers’ club of Yarze in the presence of Ambassador Christina Lassen, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon, the Commander in Chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces, General Jean Kahwaji, the General Director of General Security, General Abbas Ibrahim, and the Director of operations of CIVI.POL – Conseil, Mr. Jean-Paul Pritchard.
This SSR Lebanon project, which is funded by the European Union with a 3.6 million euro grant, is a pioneering interagency intervention. It provides direct support to the Lebanese Armed Forces and the General Directorate of General Security, which play a crucial role in the preservation of the country’s security and contribute to ensuring Lebanon’s overall cohesion and unity. The project will offer a large spectrum of European expertise to these security institutions and strengthen civilian oversight by reinforcing their internal organisation, communication capabilities and accountability mechanisms as well as to increase their services to the Lebanese people.
The SSR Lebanon project, which started at the beginning of March 2016, will be implemented over a period of thirty months. It is managed by an international consortium headed by CIVI.POL.
Ambasssador Christina Lassen, Head of the Delegation of the European to Lebanon, said: “The Lebanese Armed Forces and the General Security are on the forefront in the fight against terrorism, the control of illegal immigration, and the internal stability of the country. By providing support to the LAF and the GS, the European Union will assist improving capabilities which will have a direct impact on the daily life of the Lebanese citizens.” “I would like to seize this occasion to commend your soldiers and all other personnel for their commitment to their country in a time where Lebanon is on the front line our joint fight against terrorism.
On the other hand, ISF Director Major General Ibrahim Basbous said “I am happy to be with you today on the occasion of the launch of the aid program for the army and security apparatuses with the support of the EU.”
“EU is also strengthening and boosting our missions to fortify the immunity of Lebanon in the face of terrorism, which threatens the human being and his land,” Basbous added.
For his part, Lebanese Army Commander, General Jean Kahwagi, thanked the EU for the European grant presented to the army and the General Directorate of General Security, to strengthen the security sector institutions.
“This project comes to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to the army to support the Lebanese security institutions, to be able to carry out a national role in protecting Lebanon and maintaining stability, in light of the difficult conditions experienced at more than one level,” Kahwagi stressed.
Kahwagi hailed the army’s great achievements in face of terrorism along the Lebanese borders.
He promised not to give up, “we will pursue all the terrorist organizations and we will arrest them to safeguard Lebanon.”
nna-leb.gov.lb
