Security threat perceptions in Lebanon

This paper summarises the findings of a nationwide survey by International Alert and the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies​ about the perceptions of security threats and the institutions providing security in Lebanon, in an attempt to foster a debate around security sector reform (SSR) in the country.

Human security needs and the security concerns of the public are considered a cornerstone for meaningful human-centred security sector reform (SSR). Our survey revealed that a majority of Lebanese feel less safe now than three years ago, that most security threats are considered very serious on the national level but less serious on the local level, and that the threat posed by Syrian refugees is consistently identified as serious across the country. Crime threats and security challenges were nuanced across regional, sectarian, urban/rural and gender divides.

This paper is one of six papers exploring the Lebanese public’s perceptions of their security institutions. You can view the other related papers here:
Citizens’ perceptions of security institutions in Lebanon
Citizens’ perceptions of security threats stemming from the Syrian refugee presence in Lebanon
Civil society’s role in security sector reform in Lebanon: An asymmetric partnership despite a growing working relationship with security services
Gender, security and SSR in Lebanon
Perceptions and prescriptions: How Lebanese people view their security