MINISTER OF INTERIOR WELCOMES ENHANCED COOPERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000236

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/HARDING
STATE FOR INL/AAE, NEA/ELA
ROME FOR DHS/ICE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL NAS PTER IS SY LE
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF INTERIOR WELCOMES ENHANCED COOPERATION
WITH U.S.

BEIRUT 00000236 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) SUMMARY: In a February 13, 2008 introductory meeting
pro-Hariri Interior Minister Hassan As-Sabaa welcomed
Ambassador and communicated his strong interest in the active
collaboration between the USG and the MOI in security related
matters. He stressed the continuing need for further
assistance for not only the Internal Security Forces (ISF),
but also for the Directorate General of General Security
(Surete General - SG),the two key internal security related
agencies under MOI's authority. Discussing the MOI
preparations to guard against an outbreak of violence on
February 14 due to the converging of thousands in Beirut to
attend rival faction sponsored events, Sabaa stated that
meticulous plans had been put into place by the ISF and
Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to minimize the possibility of
violence. The Minister provided a brief overview of his
Ministry's role in border security, highlighting in the
particular the important immigration and border inspection
functions of the Surete Generale. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) The Ministry of Interior has authority over the ISF
and the SG. Its current minister since 2005, Hassan Sabaa, a
Sunni, is a member of the March 14 coalition and has close
ties with the Hariri family. In his welcoming remarks to the
Ambassador and INL Lebanon Director he referenced the strong
and close relationship his Ministry has had with the USG.
Desirous of continuing and strengthening those ties, Sabaa
remarked on the significant and unending need for training
and equipment to strengthen the ISF and make it a national
force, capable of providing internal security and protection
for all Lebanese.

USG Assistance to ISF Through INL's
Police Modernization Program
--------------


3. (U) Providing an overview of the USG's commitment to
enhance the professionalism and effectiveness of the ISF,
Ambassador introduced the Embassy's new INL Director and
outlined the current progress of the new INL Lebanon Police
Modernization Program, funded by Congress last year with a
$60 million supplemental appropriation. She noted that two
thirds of these funds will be used to provide training to
8,000 ISF cadets and 1,200 instructors, refurbish the Police
Academy, the Central Control and Command Center, and 18
additional police substations throughout the country, provide
state-of-the-art communications equipment, 300 unarmored
police vehicles, individual police gear for 4,000 policemen
and police riot gear and civil disorder management equipment
for 2000 more.


4. (U) The Minister thanked the Ambassador and reiterated
that the ISF needs considerable training and equipment to
make it a truly effective force. Any and all assistance the
USG can provide in this regard is welcomed and his ministry
will cooperate fully in having the programs implemented by
his directorates. He stressed that much had been done to
raise the level of the ISF during Prime Minister Siniora's
administration. The number of its personnel rose from 13,000
to 24,000. In 2005 only 8,000 ISF members had pistols and
rifles and now all have weapons, he reported. He conceded,
however, that they have a continuing need for more training
and equipment, as well as upgraded facilities.

Current Security Situation
--------------


5. (C) Responding to the Ambassador's query on security
preparations for handling the two large events planned on
February 14 (the anniversary of former PM Hariri's
assassination, and the funeral for Hezbollah military
commander Imad Mughniyah killed the day before in Syria),
Sabaa calmly responded that the LAF, SG and ISF are
cooperating to provide full security in Beirut. Sabaa noted
that a central situation room had been established, with all
security forces, including ISF, LAF, and State Security,
together monitoring the evolving situation, and therefore
able to react immediately if any unrest occurred. To prevent
against an increased risk of violence arising if both groups
passed each other in the streets, the ISF and LAF have set up

BEIRUT 00000236 002 OF 002


increased security near Baabda and Beirut International
Airport and the ISF is 100 percent deployed throughout all of
Beirut. Traffic control would divert the two factions down
different roadways to minimize the possibility of conflict
arising through chance meetings on the streets. Sabaa
mentioned that he was pleased to hear that Hezbollah did not
put out an official call for followers to gather to mourn the
death of their military leader. Hezbollah had informed them
that they will each have to arrive separately, utilizing
their own transportation, and not Hezbollah-provided buses.



6. (C) Sabaa attributes the current political tension to
the March 8 faction and Syria, which he states wants to
continue the political vacuum caused by the delay in the
presidential elections. The aim has been to ignite small
outbreaks of petty violence to create an atmosphere of
insecurity and instability to prevent a large turnout at the
February 14 rally commemorating Hariri.

Border Security and the SG
--------------


7. (U) When asked what role the MOI has in border security,
the Minister responded that the only role is through the SG
with its immigration-related functions. He said that customs
is handled through the Ministry of Finance and that the LAF
covers the ports, but that SG fills the immigration inspector
function at the Beirut International Airport (BIA) and mans
four land border crossing points. He explained that
currently the ISF has no border security role, but that once
the Common Border Project pilot program gets underway, the
ISF will occupy the position of Assistant Commander to LAF's
Commander. According to Sabaa, although the Pilot Program
started two and one half months ago, nothing has happened to
date with it, and he is unaware of ISF's activity in border
protection to date, outside of its security role in policing
at the BIA.


8. (U) Sabaa welcomed any assistance and training the USG
could provide for the SG. He noted that it holds an
important role in his Ministry, both in terms of its
immigration role, but also its security and information
functions.

SISON