Mikati adresses teachers syndicate, calls for patience

Prime Minister Najib Mikati held a press conference on Thursday addressing the ranks and salaries pay scale issue.

Mikati said that the accusations of delay are incorrect since the pay scale was passed by cabinet on 1/7/2012.

"It is impossible to pay the entire sum all at once amid fear of inflation," he explained, "payments can only be made through installments."

"Protesting is a right, but the pay scale cannot be ratified until all funding sources are found and are found harmonious to financial stability," he added.

The prime minister reassured the Lebanese citizens that the cabinet is conducting studies on the funding sources, stressing that 90% have been finalized so far.

He added that the government seeks to preserve taxation stability saying, "tariffs will apply only to foreign currency units in the country. I have called for a round table meeting at the Serail in the presence of economic and labor bodies, for the purpose of reaching a common 'Taif like' economic consensus," he added.

Mikati also emphasized that if the government becomes vacant, the pay scale will not be ratified. "We must cooperate with one another without resorting to strikes," he stated.           

When asked on the ongoing Syrian violations against Lebanon’s sovereignty, Mikati said that both the Lebanese and Syrian authorities are in a constant state of coordination on the subject matter.