BEIRUT: The Lebanese Army launched a phone application Friday that tries to involve users in crime fighting, allowing people to report suspicious vehicles, abductions or other security events.
"The Army's directorate announces that due to the recurrence of security events in the country and the danger it has on the safety of citizens, it has decided to launch the LAF Shield Application which works on Android and iOS,” the military said in a statement.
People are encouraged to use the system to report strange objects they spot such as “explosives, land mines, cluster bombs, suspicious vehicles, and security events including abductions, armed robbery, border violation, armed clashes, and in the case of a fire.”
Users can send an alert in the app through video, audio or a text message.
The application includes a “SOS emergency” feature that notifies the Army of the phone’s location in case of emergencies. It also includes lists of wanted individuals, suspects and kidnapped persons in Lebanon.
In its statement, the Army said the application would allow citizens to contribute to the military’s crime fighting measures by identifying wanted individuals or missing people and providing related information.
“[The application allows citizens to] directly contact the Army's leadership when in danger, in case of attempted kidnapping or forced detention,” the statement said, adding that a list of emergency phone numbers such as for the Civil Defense and the Lebanese Red Cross is included.
“With this application, the Lebanese Army seeks to involve a large number of citizens in protecting the nation as it seeks to offer possible help when in need and in case of danger,” the military said.
