BEIRUT: General Security will soon improve its services, the head of the apparatus said after receiving Interior Minister Marwan Charbel Thursday.

For his part, Charbel urged General Security personnel to reject bribery and political interference

“In the upcoming days, General Security will take measures that will increase the effectiveness and speed of the services it renders,” said Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim.

“This is a promise which we make today in front of you, our people, whom we have to care for and in return they have to cooperate and respect rules,” he added.

Addressing personnel at the headquarters of the General Security Directorate General in the Mathaf, in the presence of Charbel, Ibrahim promised that General Security will continue to serve and protect Lebanon. He added that the country could only survive with all its legitimate institutions functioning correctly.

“General Security does its best to present to authorities the actual picture of the situation in the country and shed light on the elements of weakness and strength to help authorities to take the right action.”

Ibrahim said that the institution would continue to coordinate with other security bodies to pursue those guilty of collaborating with Israel and to dismantle espionage networks.

For his part, Charbel called upon General Security staff to resist bribery and political interference.

“The most important conditions for success are people’s trust in you … and combating theft and political interference … What concerns me is bribery, which I consider to be theft. The employee has no right to take advantage of his post for personal interests at the expense of the public interest,” Charbel said. “There is nothing more humiliating than this position [of being bribed].”

Charbel voiced hopes that the General Security would restore its stature, highlighting its role in the economy and tourism.

Prior to the speeches, Charbel discussed with Ibrahim the General Security’s functions in the fields of security, politics and the economy.

Earlier Thursday, Charbel visited the headquarters of the Directorate General of Internal Security Forces in Ashrafieh where he chaired a meeting attended by ISF Director General Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi and a host of security figures.

Responsibility for all legal measures pertaining to the entrance, residency and departure or deportation of foreigners from Lebanon and their protection falls under General Security jurisdiction.