The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (http://www.state.gov/m/ds/) was founded in 1916 as the Office of the Chief Special Agent. It assumed its current title in 1986. An arm of the U.S. Department of State, DS is the most widely represented U.S. security and law enforcement organization in the world, and is a leader in international investigations, threat analysis, cyber security, counterterrorism, and security technology. To provide a secure environment for the conduct of American diplomacy, DS protects people, property, and information at more than 285 State Department posts worldwide.
Overseas, DS agents are known as regional security officers (RSOs) and are the ambassador’s primary advisor on all security matters. RSOs also serve as point of contact for the Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program (http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/). RFJ offers rewards of up to $25 million for information about acts of international terrorism against U.S. persons or property. Since 1984, RFJ has paid in excess of $100 million to more than 60 individuals who provided credible information.
The Overseas Security Advisory Council (http://www.osac.gov/) is a public-private partnership between DS and representatives from U.S.-based commercial, educational, and nongovernmental organizations that operate overseas. Every year, OSAC conducts thousands of consultations to help these entities operate more safely in challenging security environments. Overseas, businesses and institutions join with RSOs to form OSAC Country Councils. Numbering more than 140 worldwide, these councils share information on threats ranging from terrorist attacks to intellectual property theft.
For specific information about OSAC meetings and programs in Lebanon, or to report terrorism information, please contact the RSO at e-mail: BeirutSecurity@state.gov or call: +961-4-542600.