BEIRUT — The Minister of Public Works, Fayez Rassamni, will launch on Friday morning the Automated Border Control (ABC) Gates project at Beirut's airport, consisting of the installation of 30 "digital gates" to improve the "efficiency of operations," the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported on Thursday.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Works' media office relayed by NNA, the project, worth about 1.1 million dollars, aims to facilitate the movement of passengers and improve security procedures. The statement adds that 30  gates would be installed, including six gates before security inspection and 24 gates in the General Security area. Moreover, the project includes "a queue flow management system to improve the efficiency of operations at the airport."

According to the Black Delta Defence's website — the gates' manufacturer — ABC Gates "enable automated, secure and self-service processing for travelers with biometric credentials, such as e-Passports." They are "designed to lower operational costs", according to the company. The gates also reduce the travelers' processing time and enhance monitoring capability for border officers, according to the Black Delta Defence.

Black Delta Defence describes itself as a renowned international brand recognized for delivering critical security solutions.

Friday's launch, under the slogan "At Our Airport... Progress Takes Off," will be attended by the Civil Aviation Director Fadi al-Hassan, Minister Rasamni, the Chargé d'affaires of the German embassy Katharina Lack, Denmark's ambassador to Lebanon Kristoffer Vivike and IOM's Lebanon Head of Office Mathieu Luciano. It is developed in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and with the support of the German Federal Police.