Introduction to the evening news 18-02-2013

The issues of the Grand Serail got mixed up with the cases discussed in al-Nejmeh Square, having only in common a non-constructive ambiguity.                    

However, putting aside the public rhetoric, whether regarding the pay scale or the electoral draft laws, the clear reality is the following: the electoral draft laws and the ranks and salaries pay scale are both issues of high importance; otherwise, the discussions in al-Nejmeh Square would have been more optimistic and the “white smoke” would have billowed from the Grand Serail.                   

Meanwhile, the electoral and living situations became open for all possibilities: on the electoral level, the time margin is tightening while the gap is widening between supporters and opponents of the Orthodox Gathering’s draft law. On the other hand, the level of tension is rising between the cabinet and the Union Coordination Committee (UCC).                    

The UCC confirmed its strike tomorrow, while another development has emerged in the hospitals’ issue. In this context, the Health Minister issued a decision calling on all hospitals to cease admitting patients at the expense of the Public Health Ministry as of Wednesday, February 20th, since a decree that allocates hospitalization credits to private and governmental hospitals has not yet been endorsed.

However, Finance Minister declared that the Health Ministry’s dues to the hospitals will be settled tomorrow, noting that this step will lead the Health Minister to change his decision.

All these developments and more in our detailed news bulletin.


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