U.S. Ambassador Congratulates the Third Group of U.S.-Trained Internal Security Forces Cadets

September 16, 2008

U.S. Ambassador Michele J. Sison congratulates the third class of 167 Internal Security Forces (ISF) police recruits.

U.S. Ambassador Michele J. Sison congratulated the third class of 167 Internal Security Forces (ISF) police recruits who graduated from the U.S.-funded police training program.  The Ambassador presented the cadets with their completion of training certificates and encouraged them to share their newly acquired knowledge with their colleagues. 

The cadets were trained in a ten-week, state-of-the-art program, taught by U.S. instructors and curriculum developers with the assistance of Lebanese police and legal professionals.  The training focused on the latest policing and law enforcement skills and the application of these skills to specific situations.  The curriculum includes modern police practices, understanding democratic policing and human rights, criminal investigation procedures and other essential law enforcement skills.

Thanking the ISF and its Director General, Major General Achraf Rifi, Ambassador Sison commended the Director of the ISF Academy, Brigadier General Abdelbadih Al Soussi, the ISF instructors, the U.S. trainers and the new graduates.  Ambassador Sison highlighted that “all Lebanese will see the benefits of your enhanced training at traffic checkpoints and at intersections throughout the country.”

The U.S. Government has been assisting the ISF in its development since October 2006 through several programs.  This training program is part of the ongoing $60 million law enforcement assistance program, which assists the ISF to enforce the rule of law and protect the Lebanese people within their sovereign state.  The professional development of the ISF is critical for Lebanon’s sovereignty and security.  The U.S. Government is committed to supporting Lebanon, the ISF and the Lebanese people.