The Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) organized a dialogue meeting with the representative of the Director-General of the General Security Abbas Ibrahim, Colonel Jamal Jaroush at the Tammouz Hall in Baalbeck, under the title “Development and Security”. The meeting was held in the presence of the Head of the Second Beqaa Security Service, Lt. Col. Ghayath Zaaiter, the Head of the Beqaa Sub-office for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Joseph Zapater, mayors, mukhtars, and religious and social activists.
The founder of LOST, Dr. Ramy Lakkis, spoke about the importance of continuous active communication between the government and the civil society, stating, “we are interested in conducting a broad and open dialogue between the society and the state; for example, between institutions, people, and institutions that achieve social stability”.
Dr. Lakkis added, “the irresponsible use of social media and arbitrary
accusations against individuals or entities is a media exchange that does not bring
stability to society. On the other hand, sitting and communicating with one
another lead to the achievement of more understanding and stability”.
Dr. Lakkis continued, “we are more than proud to have a committed institution such as the General Directorate of Public Security, whose main objective is to communicate with the local community. This dialogue deals with the issues of security, development, immigration, and refugees, a set of issues not limited to a specific category or segment, but one that all of us together must discuss and achieve”.
Colonel Jaroush, in his turn, stated, “I am pleased to be among you today, representing His Excellency the Director-General of the General Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, to discuss together a topic that is a priority for all governments in the world and is becoming increasingly important in terms of development, and security”. He added, “the relationship between security and development is multidimensional, and if we try to look into the history of this relationship, we will find its origins in securing both commercial and land traffic convoys”.
Colonel Jaroush stressed that “balanced development leads to the consolidation of national unity, and an increase of citizens’ sense of belonging in various regions, as they feel that the state embraces and cares for their affairs”. On the other hand, conflicts that usually arise between people of different regions as a result of the imbalance in development and disparity between developing regions and non-developing regions, as well as social inequalities among the people of the regions also decrease.
He also explained that “Lebanon has suffered since its independence from the imbalance in the development process, as evidenced by the huge disparity in the level of development between the capital and central Lebanon on one hand, and remote areas on the other”. The balanced development of the regions culturally, socially, and economically is a fundamental element of the unity of the State and the stability of the regime.
Jaroush emphasized, “I shall repeat to you that security and development are interdependent elements and any imbalance in one of them is reflected negatively on the other, and any stability or development is reflected positively on it. There is no development without security and no security without development. Security is the real engine of development, and the guarantee to its stability, prosperity, and sustainability”.
The Directorate General of Public Security, among the powers conferred by the law, is working in coordination with other security institutions and agencies, to combat organized crime, security breaches, and to fight terrorist organizations and agents, believing that security is the most important factor in the growth and prosperity of societies.
Jaroush concluded, “as for the Syrian Refugees, the General Directorate of Public Security works to ensure a voluntary return to their country, as it also provides facilities at border crossings”.
