Following are summaries of some of the main stories in a selection of Lebanese newspapers Tuesday. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports.

An-Nahar

Cabinet, committees, unions toward agreement

Maronite effort between Baabda [Sleiman] and Rabieh [Aoun] to resolve appointments’ [crisis]

After it was almost certain that the issue of pay hikes would be addressed in Cabinet Wednesday talks intensified on the eve of the session. Prime Minister Najib Mikati held separate talks with the representatives of the private sector on the one hand and trade unions on the other.

Reports emerged that a deal to resolve the crisis over salary increases would likely be presented as a gift to the Lebanese ahead of Christmas and New Year. Consequently, a Dec. 27 strike set by the General Labor Confederation would be called off.

An-Nahar has learned that Mikati had Monday embarked on a marathon of meetings with representatives of economic organizations and the GLC, urging them to come out with an agreement satisfying both sides.

Information made available to An-Nahar indicated that several levels for the minimum wage have been proposed. While economic bodies suggested LL625,000 for recently hired employees versus LL675,000 for old ones, the GLC proposed LL650,000 for new employees against LL700,000 for old workers.

Economic organizations and the GLC will hold separate meetings Tuesday to discuss the outcome of the talks and to take a position.

Ministerial sources said Cabinet would overlook Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas’ pay hike proposal with the recommendations of the Shura Council and stick to the government plan on wage increases.

Meanwhile, efforts were under way to resolve the issue of public appointments, at present a subject of dispute between President Michel Sleiman and [Free Patriotic Movement head] MP Michel Aoun.

A delegation comprised of former Cabinet ministers Michel Edde, Wadih Khazen, and Dr. Joseph Tarabay has been tasked with resolving this issue, which was discussed during the Maronite gathering held Friday in Bkirki.

Al-Mustaqbal

Harb seeks to question Cabinet over rejecting Arab funds to finance electricity plan

Beirut MPs push for weapons-free capital

What can be ascertained, according to Palestinian sources, is that the Ain al-Hilweh camp is still a possible target of security incidents in an effort to divert attention from what is going on in the region and to show that the camp – the largest in Lebanon – is a hub for extremist groups, thus paving the way for a war similar to that of Nahr al-Bared.

Meanwhile, MP Butros Harb sought to question the government over its rejection of Arab funds to finance an electricity plan to boost power production by 700 MW.

As-Safir

Cypriot delegation in Beirut to resolve border issue

South Lebanon security remains the focal point of attention, particularly with the repeated discovery of unknown missiles. Rockets were found Monday in the Arkoub region, about 2 kilometers from the border between Lebanon and occupied Palestine [Israel].

Meanwhile, efforts by Lebanese and Palestinian officials were under way to contain the situation in Ain al-Hilweh following recent security incidents there and to avert similar confrontations at the camp in the future.

At the political level, reactions mounted over a statement issued following a meeting by political leaders in the Maronite community at Bkirki Friday. The participants endorsed a new elections law proposed by the Orthodox Gathering.

A committee – set up in Bkirki – is due to meet Tuesday to prepare for a series of meetings that will be attended by the majority of the political forces to discuss election-related matters.

Cabinet, in the meantime, will hold a meeting at Baabda Palace on Dec. 28 to say goodbye to 2011. President Michel Sleiman will preside over the session, which will convene at 11:00 a.m. Sleiman will also host a lunch in honor of the Cabinet ministers.

As-Safir has learned that a Cypriot delegation is due in Beirut Wednesday as part of efforts to carry on with talks launched by Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour and a delegation of Lebanese experts in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, last month to resolve issues related to the demarcation of the maritime borders between Lebanon and Cyprus.

Ad-Diyar

Mikati to Ad-Diyar: Agreement with Sleiman final

Will Cabinet amend pay hike decision?

GLC committed to strike

Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed disbelief that some in Lebanon regarded as surprising that both he and President Michel Sleiman shared the same perceptive.

“Some [in Lebanon] express surprise at the ongoing harmony with President Michel Sleiman,” Mikati told Ad-Diyar.

“This is an irreversible choice, especially since the executive authority must be united and work in agreement with each other,” Mikati explained.

On the issue of public appointments, Mikati said that he agreed with Sleiman to name a neutral figure to head the Supreme Judicial Council and not preset this issue as a condition to kick off other appointments.

“We will start filling vacancies in government departments and we will not exclude anyone,” Mikati said.