Miqati Discusses with Berri Latest Developments in Lebanon

Prime Minister Najib Miqati said on Saturday that he tackled during talks with Speaker Nabih Berri the latest developments locally, state-run National News Agency reported.

“The meeting tackled the general situation in Lebanon including the electoral law,” Miqati told reporters after meeting with Berri in Ain el-Tineh.

The premier pointed out that talks also focused on the new wage scale for public employees.

The Syndicate Coordination Committee announced that it will hold a rally on Monday near the presidential palace in Baabda to press the cabinet to refer the new salary scale to the parliament.

The stalling of the government in finding sources to fund the new scale has deepened the gap with the SCC, which is accusing the government of negligence over its failure to meet its demands.

However, the cabinet argues that it is delaying the issue to thoroughly discuss plans to boost the treasury's revenue to cover the expenses of the salaries boost.

Miqati said that the two officials discussed the situation in Tripoli and Sunday's Higher Defense Council Meeting.

At least twelve people were killed and over 75 were wounded in the latest round of clashes that erupted in Tripoli last week in light of news that Lebanese fighters had been killed in an ambush in the Syrian border town of Tall Kalakh on November 30.

The PM said that General Security Chief Abbas Ibrahim headed to Syria to discuss the details of the matter with Syrian officials.