UN migration agency opens security academy in Lebanon

International Organization for Migration

BEIRUT, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has opened a general security academy in Lebanon to implement effective border and migration management policies, a statement by the United Nations reported on Thursday.

The General Security Academy for Training and Education and Cybersecurity aims to ensure that the Lebanese General Security and its partners have professional and well-trained personnel to implement effective border and migration management policies that respond to the rapidly changing needs, said the statement.

"This includes preventing irregular migration, addressing transnational organized crime such as human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and facilitating search and rescue for migrants at sea, while protecting the rights of migrants," the statement added.

For his part, Abbas Ibrahim, director-general of Lebanese General Security, said that the academy is aimed at building capacity and cooperation at the national, regional, and international levels, as well as engaging all relevant military and civilian stakeholders in a coordinated effort to raise the level of service and enhance security.