Second Bureau (Lebanon)

The Second Bureau or Deuxième Bureau (French for "second office", Arabic: المكتب الثاني) was Lebanon's primary military intelligence agency during the mid-20th century, which was particularly active from the 1950s to the 1970s, when it played a crucial role during the periods of conflict and political instability, when it was restructured and given additional powers by President Fouad Chehab, after the 1961 failed military coup against him by the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP), in order to strengthen the National security services. It was once Lebanon's dominant intelligence agency, playing a significant role in the political and military landscape, which was also controversial due to its methods and its involvement in internal politics. The Bureau gained substantial power in the early 1950s, particularly under the leadership of Colonel Antoine Saad, who is often credited with shaping its operational strategies and expanding its reach within Lebanese society.