Mikati presides over meeting on wages increase before departing to Iraq-[REPORT]

Prime Minister Najib Mikati presided on Monday over a joint meeting between the Lebanese economic bodies and the General Labor Union in Lebanon, in presence of Minister of Labor Mustapha Bayram.

 

The meeting reportedly addressed the increase of wages, as well as economic and living conditions.

 

Mikati then traveled to Iraq as part of an official visit that would last for only few hours during which he is set to meet with his Iraqi counterpart Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.

 

Mikati is accompanied with Lebanese General Security chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim who will partake in the scheduled talks.

 

In Iraq, Mikati and al-Kadhimi underlined “the strength of relations between both countries as well as the need to strengthen them at all levels.”

 

"Lebanon thanks the Iraqi government, people and religious authorities for their constant support, especially after Beirut Port blast," he pointed out.

 

The meeting dealt with the region’s situation, the file of Lebanese-Iraqi relations and bilateral cooperation in order to strengthen and develop Lebanese-Arab relations.

 

Mikati then thanked al-Kadhimi for "helping Lebanon, especially with sending fuel monthly."

 

Additionally, they agreed to form a Joint Committee between both countries headed by both vice presidents, and with the membership of the Ministers of Health, Finance, Industry, Agriculture and Tourism. Furthermore, this Committee will focus on studying all cooperation files, facilitating people and goods’ movement, and canceling visas between both countries.