Hajjar launches biometric fingerprinting service, for the first time, at the Lebanese Embassy in Kuwait

Lebanon's Interior Minister, Ahmad Hajjar, officially launched the biometric fingerprinting service at the Lebanese Embassy in Kuwait, marking the first time the service has been introduced outside Lebanon for the issuance of biometric passports, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported Sunday.

The launch took place in the presence of Director General of General Security Hassan Choucair, Lebanon's Ambassador to Kuwait Ghadi Khoury, Director General of the Internal Security Forces Raed Abdullah, and other Lebanese authorities.

Hajjar described the initiative as "an important milestone in the modernization of Lebanon's public administration and the enhancement of services provided to Lebanese expatriates." He noted that the project was launched in response to requests from the Lebanese diaspora, which he had heard firsthand during meetings with Lebanese communities abroad.

He explained that the Interior Ministry instructed the General Directorate of General Security, in coordination with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, to prepare the project. The new service will allow Lebanese citizens residing abroad to complete the required procedures and provide their biometric fingerprints at their place of residence. The data will then be transmitted electronically to Lebanon for the issuance of biometric passports, eliminating the need to travel to Lebanon in person.

Hajjar added that, following an official invitation from his Kuwaiti counterpart to visit Kuwait and after the necessary preparations were completed by a team of Lebanese General Security officers, he chose Kuwait as the first location to launch the project in recognition of its active Lebanese community and the strong ties between the two countries.

He also confirmed that, in coordination with the Foreign Ministry, the service will be gradually expanded to Lebanese embassies and consulates across the Gulf region and the rest of the world.