While Lebanon remains paralyzed by political uncertainty and clouded by economic instability, the security front has emerged as a rare space where the state is making visible headway. Over the past few months, Beirut has witnessed a notable improvement in public safety, thanks to a meticulously crafted security plan executed by various law enforcement bodies.

Security sources told kataeb.org that the plan implemented in the capital has yielded concrete results, particularly in curbing lawlessness and tracking down offenders. This has bolstered a sense of safety among citizens, albeit partially. The relative success in Beirut has encouraged authorities to expand the campaign into other regions historically plagued by lax law enforcement or security gaps.

From Beirut to Sidon: Rolling Out the Next Phase

Sidon is the next target. As of early this week, a new security operation began to take shape in the southern coastal city. The effort, led by the Internal Security Forces and supported by local municipal police, aims to restore full control on the ground and put an end to rampant violations.

According to the sources, the plan involves the removal of illegal encroachments and structures, the enforcement of a long-standing ban on motorcycles inside the city, and a crackdown on unauthorized tuk-tuks that have proliferated haphazardly in certain neighborhoods.

The campaign is not being carried out unilaterally but is instead the product of coordinated efforts between the Interior Ministry and local authorities. That coordination was formalized in a recent meeting between Interior Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Hajjar, Sidon Mayor Mustafa Hijazi, and the head of the Sidon-Zahrani Union of Municipalities. The meeting focused on finalizing the plan’s provisions and emphasizing the importance of strict, uniform implementation.

Beyond Enforcement: Restoring Public Confidence

Sources emphasize that the goal of the campaign goes beyond merely enforcing the law. The ultimate objective, they say, is to restore a sense of public trust in the state and its institutions after years of near-complete absence from the daily lives of citizens.

Authorities are banking on the success of this security drive in Sidon, especially as the city gears up to host a slate of cultural and tourism festivals. Ensuring a safe and stable environment is seen as a prerequisite for drawing visitors, investors, and returning residents.

The sources also highlighted that logistical support for security personnel is essential to sustaining the operation. No plan can succeed, they said, without equipping officers with the necessary tools and resources. Public cooperation is also critical; without it, the campaign cannot be brought to full fruition.

Southward Expansion: A Broader Strategy in Motion

The plan is expected to expand into additional areas in southern Lebanon, according to security officials who spoke with kataeb.org. Several towns and villages in the region still experience intermittent unrest and require immediate attention. If the Sidon operation proves effective, officials say, it could serve as a model for similar interventions in Tyre, Nabatieh, and Jezzine.

Monitoring and follow-up mechanisms will be activated as the plan is implemented, with officials tracking performance metrics to identify strengths and weaknesses. These assessments will help refine and tailor future phases of the plan to each area’s unique conditions.

A Glimmer of Stability in a Nation on Edge

With no political breakthrough in sight and the economic outlook remaining bleak, these security operations represent a much-needed ray of hope. They may not offer a long-term solution to Lebanon’s systemic crises, but they do provide a crucial foundation for societal stability and public safety.

Observers stress that while security alone cannot resolve the country’s broader social and economic challenges, it is nonetheless the bedrock upon which any serious reform or national revival must be built. In that sense, success in Beirut, and now Sidon, could mark the start of a larger process of state reclamation, beginning where the need is most visible: security.