The following are summaries of today's major stories published in the
Arabic press. LBCI does not edit press digest articles for content, giving
English-language readers insight into the various views expressed in newspapers
across the Arab world.
Sources reported to
An-Nahar Newspaper that the cabinet did not discuss during yesterday’s session the sources to finance the ranks and salaries pay scale; however, Central Bank Governor Riyad Salameh presented a detailed explanation on Lebanon’s monetary situation and the repercussions of the pay scale on the economy.
According to the sources, Salameh suggested the installment of the pay scale over 5 years and to finance it via sources that don’t affect the economy nor the public sector employees.
A ministerial source reported to
As Safir Daliy that the Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi objected the nomination of the Sunni candidate for the governing body of the Oil sector, while State Minister Nkoula Fatoush objected the procedure of the appointments, claiming they weren’t on the cabinet’s agenda.
Separately, Minister Safadi told the newspaper that the ministers do not wish to delay the endorsement of the ranks and salaries pay scale, however, the repercussions of such a decision could harm the economy. “We could afford a 2-day strike to avoid the collapse of the country," he stated.
Speaker Nabih Berri said in an interview with
An-Nahar Daily that the appointment of the Oil sector’s governing body is a positive step that “all the Lebanese and the upcoming generations will profit from.”
“Personally, I’m thrilled and I call all the parties to profit from this economic opportunity,” he added.
For his part, PM Najib Mikati told
As-Safir Newspaper that the appointment of the body is a major Lebanese achievement.
On the pay scale issue, Mikati said that Central Bank Governor Riyad Salameh suggested several proposals concerning the ranks and salaries pay scale that the cabinet is willing to consider the best possible decision.
Head of the Syndicate Coordination Committee Hanna Gharib said in an interview with
As-Safir Daily that the committee’s strike on Thursday includes the educational sector and the public institutions, stressing that the committee will hold a meeting to discuss escalatory measures that were previously postponed after the assassination of late Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hassan.
“We refuse to be held accountable for these measures, the cabinet is fully responsible for submitting to the economic bodies’ pressures,” he added.
Sources reported to
Al-Joumhouria Daily that prior to the cabinet session on Wednesday, Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil met with PM Najib Mikati and asked him about the delay in appointing the Oil sector’s governing body, stressing that according to Energy Minister Gebran Bassil it was agreed upon between the different parties on the names of the candidates except one, the Sunni candidate “Wissam Al Zahabi” that was named by the PM but did not get the approval of Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi.
Later on, Ministers Gebran Bassil and Mohammad Fneish joined the meeting and the four agreed on the appointment of the body during cabinet.
President Sleiman was later informed about the decision and said that "he wouldn’t mind if all the parties reach an agreement."