The General Directorate of Civil Defense announced today, Tuesday, that its members, in cooperation with the Navy and Air Forces, the Sea Commando Regiment in the Lebanese Army, and a number of fishermen, carried out a search and rescue operation off the coast of Tripoli, to rescue 22 people who were on board a boat. She pointed out that the operation resulted in the rescue of four people who were wearing life jackets, and the rescue of another person from the sea without a life jacket, while 17 people were able to reach the island. The Lebanese Army announced earlier today that the naval forces were able to rescue 21 people during an attempt to smuggle them illegally on board a boat after it broke down off the coast of Tripoli.