U.S. Government Trains Internal Security Forces

September 8, 2008

In August, the U. S. Government trained twenty-four members of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) Mobile Forces unit in California.  This training in anti –terrorism techniques was the first in a series of U.S. based courses for the Mobile Forces.  After the next phase of training, the United States will also provide the Mobile Forces with equipment to help them carry out their responsibilities. 

While in the United States, ISF senior officers also were able to review U.S. Coast Guard capabilities and visited the U.S. Coast Guard Station in San Francisco.

The Anti-terrorism Assistance (ATA) program is an on-going part of the U.S. Government’s overall assistance to Lebanon.  Since 2007, the U.S. has committed $2 million to ATA training and trained over ninety members of the ISF.  This amount is part of the over $1 billion the U.S. Government has committed to Lebanon since 2006.  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.