Lebanon’s Crisis Imposes New Tasks on Security Forces

Shoppers walk past an empty shelf at a supermarket in Beirut. (Reuters)
Shoppers walk past an empty shelf at a supermarket in Beirut. (Reuters)
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Lebanon’s Crisis Imposes New Tasks on Security Forces

Shoppers walk past an empty shelf at a supermarket in Beirut. (Reuters)
Shoppers walk past an empty shelf at a supermarket in Beirut. (Reuters)

Lebanon’s severe economic crisis has imposed an unusual security reality, as security officers are now seen organizing the purchase of foodstuffs, and others standing at the doors of supermarkets where many disputes have erupted during the past weeks over the priority to buy subsidized products.

A video widely circulated on social media on Thursday showed a man screaming in a supermarket in the coastal city of Amshit in Mount Lebanon, in protest against allowing Syrians to receive subsidized food products. The man shouted that those, who do not have the Lebanese nationality, should be prevented from entering the supermarket. His remarks led to a dispute between Lebanese and Syrian refugees in the town.

Another video leaked last week showed security officers in a food store, asking people to present their ID cards in order to buy subsidized rice.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, MP Wehbi Qatisha said that the scene was “certainly a negative indicator of the current situation in Lebanon, due to poor management of crises, especially economic ones.”

“Instead of confronting major security risks, security officers are now dealing with disputes among citizens over oil or milk,” he said.

Other missions were granted to the security bodies in light of the deteriorating economic and social crisis.

The Directorate General of State Security was tasked with supervising the distribution of diesel fuel to stations in order to prevent monopoly or smuggling, while the Lebanese army was assigned the task of distributing financial aid, which the government granted to poor families, in addition to dispensing compensation to those affected by the Beirut port explosion.

According to a security source, such intervention is needed because the army and security bodies have the responsibility to safeguard civil peace and stability.



Trump Victory Fuels Fears of Netanyahu’s Increased Freedom in Lebanon

Smoke rises from Beirut’s southern suburbs following Israeli attacks. (AFP)
Smoke rises from Beirut’s southern suburbs following Israeli attacks. (AFP)
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Trump Victory Fuels Fears of Netanyahu’s Increased Freedom in Lebanon

Smoke rises from Beirut’s southern suburbs following Israeli attacks. (AFP)
Smoke rises from Beirut’s southern suburbs following Israeli attacks. (AFP)

Lebanese are watching closely after Donald Trump’s election as US president, hoping his policies might bring solutions to regional crises and possibly halt wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Observers caution, however, that change won’t be immediate or at Israel’s expense; instead, they expect Israel could have more military leeway before peace efforts begin.

Trump didn’t outline his plans to end conflicts during his victory speech, only briefly mentioning the issue.

Fares Soeid, a former Lebanese MP, called Trump’s win a potential global turning point, particularly in conflict zones like Ukraine and the Middle East. Soeid believes Trump’s support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s far-right may intensify.

Soeid told Asharq Al-Awsat that Trump’s election could hasten military actions on the Lebanese-Israeli border, allowing Netanyahu more freedom to secure military objectives and strengthen Israel’s negotiating position.

He suggested key UN resolutions intended to control arms in Lebanon may lose focus, with the goal shifting to place all weapons under state control.

There is concern in Lebanon over any change to Resolution 1701, which maintains the ceasefire with Israel.

Soeid clarified that Trump might not scrap these resolutions outright but could push for tighter arms restrictions, ensuring only Lebanon’s government holds power over weapons.

He believes the US may aim to create a cohesive Lebanese leadership to enforce these measures, essentially enabling Netanyahu more flexibility in regional matters.

The US election drew intense interest in Lebanon, with citizens and officials closely tracking the campaigns and vote results, hoping for a positive shift.

Lebanese politician Khaldoun Sharif noted that Trump reached out to Lebanese Americans during his campaign, promising to bring peace to Lebanon quickly.

He sees Trump’s advisor, Lebanese-born Massad Boulos, as potentially instrumental in highlighting Lebanon’s needs to the new administration.

Sharif criticized the outgoing Democratic administration’s handling of conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, saying it failed to curb Netanyahu’s plans despite multiple ceasefire proposals.

As Trump prepares to take office on January 20, Sharif emphasized that Lebanon is eager for a complete ceasefire, adherence to Resolution 1701, a consensus-backed president, and a transparent, reform-oriented government to rebuild trust with Arab nations and the international community.

Sharif voiced disappointment that past US administrations have often overlooked Lebanon’s significance.

Now, amid a severe conflict, he hopes Trump will act swiftly to end the violence, support reconstruction, and restore Lebanon’s standing on the regional stage.