Ali Hamiyé signs agreement with French Thales to update passenger screening system

The outgoing Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamiyé, signed an agreement in Paris with the French group Thales, specializing in defense and digital security, relating to the updating of integrated passenger control systems at the Beirut international airport, according to a press release published Monday by the National Information Agency (ANI, official). The press release does not specify the date of the signing.

This agreement was concluded “as part of the process of strengthening the security of border installations and the modernization and maintenance of the air, land and maritime border management system of the General Directorate of Lebanese General Security,” specifies the press release. The interim director of General Security, Élias Baïssari, was present, as well as the director of Civil Aviation, Fady el-Hassan.

According to the minister, “the system currently deployed at the AIB”, manufactured by Thales, requires updates to “fill the technical gaps”. He explained that this had convinced the outgoing government to sign this contract with the French company in order to develop and update its programs, while ensuring the missions and maintenance required in the years to come. This contract also opens up the “possibility of increasing checkpoints in all departments and land and maritime border posts of the Lebanese General Security,” he added.

The new integrated system “is designed to facilitate and regulate the transit of travelers across air, land and sea facilities in a safe and efficient manner. It aims to strengthen national security, verify travel documents and granted visas, using modern electronic reading systems, cameras and advanced fingerprint recognition devices to confirm the authenticity of the information and its compliance with international safety standards,” detailed the minister. “This system is linked to local and international databases, such as those of Interpol, as well as to traveler information systems containing lists of dangers or wanted persons,” he added .

However, the minister did not provide details on the precise terms of the contract or the terms of its award. Contacted, he has not yet responded to our calls.