People holding Lebanese passports. (Credit: AFP file)
BEIRUT — Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, MP Fadi Alameh, told L’Orient Today on Wednesday that biometric data collection, primarily fingerprints, and the issuing of required documents for obtaining a biometric passport from the mukhtar in Lebanon are two of the main obstacles facing the Lebanese state in its attempt to issue these passports to Lebanese people residing abroad.
Currently, biometric passports can only be issued from Lebanon, Alameh explained.
Many Lebanese in the diaspora who want to issue a non-biometric passport have to have the hardcopy documents from the mukthar sent to them via mail service from Lebanon.
"We had a meeting today with the Foreign Affairs Ministry and General Security concerning biometric passports. We have engaged with the Foreign Affairs Minister and [interim head of General Security Elias] Baissari to explore potential solutions. There is a comprehensive understanding of the legal complexities surrounding passport issuance and document verification. We eagerly await proposals, including the suggestion to deploy fingerprint machines. Technical considerations, such as their installation in embassies and document security, are crucial."
Alameh further explained, "General Security currently possesses 100 devices capable of collecting fingerprints and necessary data for biometric passport issuance." He proposed distributing these devices to Lebanese embassies worldwide to facilitate passport issuance for expatriates.
Moreover, the requirement for certain documents from a mukhtar in Lebanon poses an additional hurdle for expatriates. Alameh emphasized the need to resolve these issues to streamline the passport issuance process.
"To obtain a biometric passport, individuals must submit documentation verified by a mukhtar stating their residence and family status," Alameh explained. "These documents must be issued from the specific town, city, or village where the individual resides."
'Transparency concerns'
However, Alameh acknowledged General Security's concerns regarding data collection mechanisms abroad and emphasized the need for a transparent and efficient process. "We will convene once they finalize the plan to discuss its implementation," he stated.
"The current process poses challenges for many Lebanese abroad due to security concerns and travel expenses associated with obtaining passports from Lebanon. Consequently, there is a strong preference for local issuance," Alameh concluded.
