Introduction to the evening news 06-10-2011

Arsal and the mecanique [vehicle inspection center] in Hadath are witnessing security violations while problems keep stacking up on the cabinet’s desk without any breakthroughs on the issues.

In his first official statement on the Syrian breaches of Lebanese territories, PM Najib Mikati told AFP that a Lebanese-Syrian committee is working to determine the causes of the not-so-new incident that occurred in a region where borders are intertwined.

The Lebanese Premier underscored Lebanon’s willingness to extend humanitarian relief to Syrian refugees, adding that he is making sure that the Syrian turmoil is having minimal impact on Lebanon since the repercussions of the Syrian uprising will inevitably be felt all over the Middle East.

Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud pointed out that the number of tourists coming into Lebanon by land decreased by 90% because of the Syrian upheavals.

This troublesome reality is also taking its toll on the financial environment and business world in Lebanon which pushes the Lebanese citizen to wonder about the projected economic recession and the slackening growth rates. These two factors will make it hard for the government and employers to reach an agreement that will please the General Workers’ Union. As is known by all, the union is asking for a raise in the minimum wage and a wage adjustment for the workers in the public sector; a move that will surely burden the country’s deficit rates.   

The country is stuck in a vicious cycle. The GWU withdrew from the price index committee and is leaning towards going forward with the strike scheduled for October 12. The Lebanese University professors will also join the tide of strikes threatening the scholastic year despite the cabinet’s objections.

The additional fees in the new budget put forth by the Finance Minister will most likely be snubbed for a number of reasons. Politically, the issue of STL funding has not yet been settled, neither publically nor behind the scenes, given that PM Mikati said today that the STL will remain standing with or without funding.

On the Christian political front, Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai continues his visit across the U.S. before heading to the Vatican on October 25 and to Iraq on November 2nd. The Christian figures, expected to meet in the monastery of Sayyedat Al Jabal, may change the location to Adma after the nuns were reluctant for internal ecclesial reasons.