On April 25, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticized security forces for a heavy-handed approach to detaining a person accused of involvement with “illegal electric generators.”
It turns out that Lebanon’s security forces won’t disarm Hezbollah, but when it comes to chasing down other citizens, in Sunni or Christian areas that are not linked to Hezbollah, then the security forces are willing to use force.
Salam discussed what happened in Saqiet al-Janzir Square this afternoon, “in terms of violence by members of one of the security agencies against civilians, the firing of shots and terrorizing of citizens, are unacceptable actions, whatever the reasons or pretexts,” a report at Lebanon’s LBC noted.
“He said he gave strict orders to conduct immediate investigations to clarify the circumstances of what happened and to take the necessary disciplinary and judicial measures against the perpetrators.”
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s General Directorate of State Security announced that, “further to its previous statement dated 18/4/2026, and in continuation of its ongoing efforts to suppress violations that affect economic security, and after one of the owners of illegal electric generators within the city of Beirut failed to appear at the Directorate of Intelligence and Special Operations building to complete the judicial procedures against him, and based on the Financial Public Prosecutor’s order to bring him in, a patrol from the Directorate carried out the judicial order, but was confronted by a number of citizens who prevented it from carrying out its mission, which forced some of the officers to fire shots in the air to disperse them, and no one was injured.”
Videos online showed the clashes with the security forces. Reports said shots were fired. A Lebanese journalist wrote that “no one is above the law, but the raid that took place, and the intensity and gunfire that accompanied it to intimidate the residents, do not match the nature of the alleged violation related to ‘generator pricing.’
There are legal and administrative frameworks through the governorates and the Ministry of Economy that should have been followed instead of this approach.”
'Controversial security operation'
This Is Beirut, a publication focusing on Lebanon, noted that “a violent clash in Beirut’s Saqiet al-Janzir, a Sunni majority area, on Saturday triggered public outrage and a wave of protests across the capital, following a controversial security operation targeting a private generator owner.”
The pro-Iranian Al-Akhbar media appeared pleased to report that Salam, who is a Sunni, had “attacked” state security in his statement. For Hezbollah, this is welcome news. Lebanon’s prime minister’s office has always been held by a Sunni since the 1989 Taif agreement.
It is the strongest office in the country. In essence, Hezbollah will be happy to see security forces attacking Sunnis and the prime minister fighting with the security forces. This will keep the spotlight off Hezbollah and any demands to disarm them. The security forces seem to feel that Sunni areas are an easy target.
They will use heavy-handed approaches to go after a man for an illegal generator, and even gun violence will happen to stop the illegal generators, while Hezbollah’s rocket arsenal and illegal guns do not receive any similar raid by security forces.
As the spotlight is on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, this incident shows how Beirut is willing to use force against Sunnis and to arrest people for random low-level crimes, but will not go after Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Druze politician Walid Jumblatt met Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Saudi Arabia has also reaffirmed its support for Lebanon and for President Joseph Aoun.
In addition, LBC noted that Lebanese member of parliament MP “Nadim Gemayel visited Doha, where he met with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.”
The report says that “during the meeting, Gemayel expressed his solidarity with the State of Qatar in light of recent developments. They also discussed the general situation in Lebanon and regional developments, in addition to bilateral relations between the two countries.
The talks also addressed ways to support stability in Lebanon and strengthen its institutions, particularly in the security and administrative sectors.” Gemayel comes from an important Christian political family in Lebanon.
“Gemayel expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome, commending the role played by the State of Qatar at the regional and international levels, and praising its successes in managing and organizing major events. He also emphasized the importance of continued communication and coordination in the coming period, in a way that serves the interests and stability of Lebanon,” the report said.