Cabinet Approves Pay Raise, Removes Shqeir, Labels Hizbullah Telephone Network Illegal
The Lebanese government approved after a marathon meeting on Tuesday to raise the minimum wage to LL 500,000. It also decided to remove airport security chief Brig. Gen. Wafiq Shqeir over his alleged links to Hizbullah.
The cabinet also labeled "illegal and unconstitutional" a private communication network set up by Hizbullah on Lebanese territory.
A statement read by Information Minister Ghazi Aridi at the end of the meeting around 4:30 am said the cabinet also agreed to cancel customs on main food staples.
On the Hizbullah telephone network issue, Aridi said the government decided to refer the dossier, which shows Iran”s involvement in the case, to the Arab League and international communities.
The government also dismissed claims by Hizbullah which said the network was essential for the group”s security.
Regarding Shqeir, the daily An Nahar quoted ministerial sources as saying he would rejoin the army command.
The sources said official sides received "direct threats" from forces within the Hizbullah-led opposition warning them against messing with the Hizbullah network or with Shqeir”s post.
Druze leader Walid Jumblat has demanded the "sacking" of Shqeir, accusing him of allowing Hizbullah to place cameras in the airport area to "monitor the arrival of Lebanese or foreign leaders, to kidnap or assassinate (people) on the airport road."
Photo: (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)