Ranks and salaries scale fully approved through cabinet vote

The ranks and salaries scale has been fully approved through a cabinet vote in accordance to the ministerial committee's agreement and with no amendments, said acting Information Minister Wael Abou Faour at the conclusion of the cabinet session held to discuss the longstanding item.

The decision was reached through a vote, he said, adding that Minister Samir Moqbel, Nazem el-Khoury and Marwan Charbel abstained from voting. 

Abou Faour announced that the an agreement to continue talks on widening investments in the construction sector were also reached.

Conflicting reports earlier emerged on the approval of the ranks and salaries scale. While Minister Ahmad Karami announced that the cabinet approved it with no amendments, in accordance with the ministerial committee’s agreement, Ministers Abou Faour and Safadi said that the scale was still pending approval, putting the press at a loss.

In this regard, Progressive Socialist Party ministers said that the scale will be referred to Parliament following discussions in cabinet to ensure funding sources. 

Prime Minister Najib Mikati had said that the ranks and salaries expenditures will be paid in full, through installments. Mikati said that some sources to finance the expenditures have been agreed upon and the remaining ones will remain under study by the minister of finance.    

Mikati said that the VAT will not be increased, adding that expanding investments will remain under study for the time being.