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.
According to
Al-Liwaa newspaper the Index Committee’ s meeting on Friday night was different from all the previous ones as the attendees discussed for the first time the raise that will be added on the salaries either by 16% or 20%.
The newspaper added that the Minister of Labor Charbel Nahas rejected the 16% raise, asking for a 20% on all salaries and a draft law to discuss health plans for all workers where the medical expenses will be fully covered by the government.
Nahas expressed to
Al-Liwaa his regrets about the current situation, adding that he will send his recommendation to PM Najib Mikati on his latest proposals.
Asked about the possibility to resume talks with the different unions he said “It is a lost case, I will not even try”.
On the other hand the head of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (CGTL) Ghassan Ghosn told Al-Liwaa “Yes, our demonstrations will hit the street on Wednesday as for us the Index Committee does not exist anymore”.
According to
As-Safir newspaper PM Najib Mikati said that it is time to resume the national dialogue between all constituents of Lebanese society to achieve civil peace on the political, social and economic level.
PM Mikati told the newspaper that he will meet on Saturday with Speaker Nabih Berri to discuss the results of the Lebanese delegation’s visit headed by the prime minister to New York two weeks ago, while Berri will inform Mikati about his talks in Teheran and Yerevan.
Sources added that Mikati and Berri will discuss pending critical political issues on the internal scene.
Asked about the meeting with the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers he said “I am pleased with the results and I told the CGTL delegation that we don’t want to create any unrest as disagreements can be resolved”
“I want a fair equation for everyone; one that can boost the purchasing power and meet with the CGTL demands, hopefully we will get there”.
According to
An-Nahar no clear information was given by any state nor foreign or Arab intelligence service about a possible Israeli war on Lebanon, Syria and Gaza. Sources said that Israel will bombard all of Lebanon, not only Hezbollah’s sites, and will attack Gaza if Damascus launches rockets on Tel Aviv.
An-Nahar said that this possible scenario was broadcasted in the Israeli media with no concrete effect on the ground till now, in a response to the Iranian Press Agency “Fares” report on the meeting that was held in Damascus between Syrian President Bashar Assad and Turkish foreign Minister Davutoğlu in August.
During the meeting Assad told Davutoğlu that Hezbollah will be asked to fire thousands of rockets on Tel Aviv to ignite a regional war “if a single foreign soldier steps in Syria to try to overthrow the regime”.
The sources added that even if the warnings on a possible Israeli war are only part of a war media and an Israeli propaganda, these threats should be taken into consideration regarding the hidden goals of the Israeli state.
According to
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper Hezbollah has made its final decision and told all political leaders and figures in Lebanon, ahead of PM Najib Mikati's return from his New York visit, that the Party is categorically against the Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s funding.
The newspaper indicated that sources also added that Hezbollah conveyed a clear message to the head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblat that the Party will maintain its alliance with the Druze leader regardless of the outcome of funding discussions.
According to
Al-Joumhouria newspaper Israel ordered its forces along the northern border to raise their security level and stay aware on Friday morning on the occasion of the Yom Kippur Holiday, one of the most significant Jewish holidays.
The newspaper added the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) deployed two regiments in the northern area for unscheduled training and recalled generals and officials from the reserve army to join the training which lasted until Friday night.