The direction of the army’s intelligence services announced that it had arrested in Lebanon an Iraqi national, TN, who is suspected of having impersonated a member of the Iraqi security forces, who, according to a military source at AFP, had become closer to security and military officials. Lebanese.
In a press release published on its X account, the army specified that it had monitored the individual and followed him to ensure his identity. And added: “It turned out, following an investigation, that the man is in possession of false papers, and that he had a military uniform which was seized. He was brought before the competent courts. HAS”
Promises of Iraqi financial aid
A military source told AFP, on condition of anonymity, that the man was “married to a Lebanese woman and had managed to get closer to an intelligence official in Beirut, presenting himself as an Iraqi officer in the anti-terrorist branch and as a security attaché at the Iraqi embassy. The Lebanese intelligence official would have helped him “get in touch with security and army officials and meet them,” the source added. During his meetings, “he promised to provide financial aid from Iraq”, according to this source, who specified that the motive for the identity theft had not yet been established. The suspect actually works in a cafe on the airport road in the southern suburbs of Beirut, after having started there as a valet, the military source said.
In a press release published by the National Information Agency (Ani, official), the communications office of the general directorate of General Security “denied that a meeting took place between the director general, General Hassan Choucair, and the man nicknamed “Iraqi colonel” having impersonated a Lebanese security agent.” This response was addressed to the al-Hurra channel which had published the information.
This case is reminiscent of that of Abou Omar, a mechanic from Akkar (far north of Lebanon) who posed as a member of the royal court of Saudi Arabia to Lebanese politicians and businessmen, and who was arrested with an accomplice in December 2025.
The incident highlights deep-rooted corruption in Lebanon and the fragility of institutions, based on a system of power sharing between faiths in a country plagued by much foreign interference and where personal relationships often play a key role in obtaining influence, money and privileges.
This article was modified on May 11 at 1:30 p.m. to correct the statement that the suspect posed as a member of the Lebanese security forces.
