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

Al-Mustaqbal

Lebanon to inform Ban of its commitment to UN resolutions ... Europeans raise issue of protecting displaced Syrians

Workers’ interest remains prisoner of labor minister’s stubbornness

Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas remained adamant Thursday on his pay hike proposal, demolishing workers’ interests.

Sources following up on the wage hike subject told Al-Mustaqbal that despite all the hubbub caused by Nahhas for deliberately hampering the pay hike deal reached during a Cabinet meeting in Baabda and insisting on his proposal, an understanding between Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati and head of the Change and Reform bloc MP Michel Aoun to go along with the Baabda agreement “remains in force.”

Meanwhile, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon kicks off a visit to Beirut Friday by meeting with Lebanese officials – President Michel Sleiman, Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri – while Hezbollah has openly opposed his visit.

As-Safir

Nahhas to present 3 suggestions to Cabinet Monday

A second meeting of the Price Index Committee to come out with an agreement satisfactory to both sides – Nahhas on one the hand and the General Labor Confederation and the economic committees on the other – has failed.

Instead, it encouraged “haggling” and the ball once again is back in Cabinet’s court.

At the end of the Price Index Committee meeting, Nahhas informed the participants that he would present three suggestions to the Cabinet, including a agreement between the GLC and economic committees and a proposal originally presented by the GLC that calls for raising the minimum wage to LL1,250,000.

Nahhas said he was no longer proposing including the transportation allowances since they are against the law.

Ad-Diyar

Lebanon faces renewed snowstorm

Threats, clashes at Price Index Committee as issue of wages back to Cabinet

The majority of roads in the mountains were buried by snow that fell at an altitude of 800 meters and above. The storm intensified last night and reached the outskirts of the capital, Beirut. The meteorological department said the storm was expected to ease by Friday afternoon only to renew once more Monday morning.

However, the cold weather did not affect preparations for U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon’s visit to Beirut which commences Friday. Ban will hold a news conference at the Phoenicia Hotel this evening after talks with Lebanese officials.

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah will deliver a speech following Ban’s conference.

Information made available to Ad-Diyar said that Ban would discuss with Lebanese leaders ongoing Israeli violations as well as the issues of cluster bombs, oil and maritime borders.

Ban will also reportedly meet a delegation from the March 14 coalition under former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora in addition to a number of political leaders.

Lebanese officials were also busy preparing for a visit by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who is due in Beirut Friday.

Al-Liwaa

Cabinet to disappoint Nahhas Monday ... approves consensus-based agreement

Lebanese officials, overwhelmed with diplomatic preparations to welcome U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu Friday, are working behind closed doors to convince MP Michel Aoun to agree to a deal reached jointly by the GLC and the economic committees in a bid to put an end to the crisis over increasing salaries that threatens the Cabinet’s stability as well as to spur demonstrations on the streets.

Information made available to Al-Liwaa said Aoun has become convinced that it is no longer possible to move against the tide.

Sources expect Cabinet’s meeting Monday to be different than the previous session held on Dec. 21 when the majority voted for Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas’ wage hike proposal.