This is not the first time the issue of assigning security personnel to protect political, party, religious, and other figures has been raised. However, the complaint against the former General Director of State Security, Major General Tony Saliba, brought the issue back into the spotlight because he is accused of assigning security personnel to non-political figures for his personal benefit.

Three lawyers and a retired dean filed a complaint with the Financial Public Prosecutor against Major General Tony Saliba, including charges of “wasting public funds, abuse of influence in the General Directorate of State Security (…) involving the dismissal of escorts with cars and their supplies of fuel and maintenance at the disposal of individuals, party leaders, former officials, companies, businessmen, and society ladies.”

But the question remains: since the law allows purchasing security services, why is Saliba being prosecuted?

For years, party figures have received protection under the pretext of threats, but the law does not stipulate protection for party leaders. The law specifies the personalities entitled to security protection, starting with the President of the Republic, former presidents, the speakers of the parliament and governments, as well as ministers, deputies, and judges.

However, the circumstances Lebanon has experienced, especially after 2005, necessitated enhancing security measures for some party leaders and even increasing the number of security personnel for some deputies. In one parliamentary session, a deputy demanded security protection from the Minister of Interior, holding him responsible for any harm that might befall him.

While the Internal Security Forces law allows purchasing security services for a fee deposited in the Internal Security Forces fund, the General Directorate of State Security’s involvement in this field is considered a violation of the law since its regulations do not provide for this service, making the question of fees legitimate.

While awaiting the legal process of the complaint filed against Saliba, the issue of protections remains subject to governmental procrastination in implementing previous circulars issued by former prime ministers. Notably, a lone decision was issued last March by the State Security Directorate to withdraw security personnel assigned to protect the head of the Free Patriotic Movement MP Gebran Bassil, but it was quickly reversed pending a comprehensive study to define and unify criteria for distributing security personnel to personalities. There is a significant disparity in their numbers depending on the personality requesting protection, with discrimination between individuals even if they hold the same rank or responsibility. Moreover, dozens of protection personnel are provided to those not stipulated in the 2009 protection and escort regulation decree, which was amended in 2022.

However, some consider the complaint against Saliba part of a systematic campaign against the Orange Movement, which began in several public institutions, including the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Authority, where Jean Gabriel was dismissed from his duties, followed by the suspension of Casino Lebanon director Roland Khoury.