Secondary official exams kick off across Lebanese regions

The Lebanese Secondary official exams in Life Sciences (SV) and General Sciences (SG) sections kicked off on Tuesday across the Lebanese regions in light of measures implemented by Internal Security Forces and Lebanese Armed Forces soldiers.

he official exams had been delayed for one day over disputes between the Union Coordinating Committee and the Lebanese parliament, which has failed, so far, to meet the committee's demands.

The UCC has been on a continuous sit-in calling on the parliament to endorse the series of ranks and salaries, which stipulates a wage hike.

The decision to revive movements came as a result of the failure of the Joint Parliamentary Committees to resolve the dispute on the Value Added Tax in a proposal aimed at securing the funds for the salary scale that was approved by former Prime Minister Najib Mikati's cabinet.

Former PM Mikati's cabinet endorsed the new salary scale for public employees in 2012, ending a long dispute that had triggered several sit-ins and strikes held by the UCC.

Former President Michel Sleiman signed the decree mid-June 2013 and it was referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committees for further examination, however the law was never passed to parliament.