The Syndicate Coordination Committee on Wednesday declared that the public sector will stage a general strike tomorrow, Thursday over the government’s failure to approve the new wage scale.

The SCC will also stage sit-ins at 10:00 a.m. outside all state institutions to protest the delay in approving the new scale.

Security forces have been placed on alert ahead of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Lebanon, the visit's coordinator said on Wednesday.

"All Lebanese security organizations are on a state of alert poised to protect His Holiness the Pope," who will travel to Lebanon September 14-16, said Father Abdo Abou Kasm.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday urged the European Union to place Hizbullah on its list of "terrorist" organizations.

Netanyahu made the request during talks with Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi on the disputed nuclear program of Iran, Hizbullah’s leading regional ally.

The Orthodox Gathering held on Wednesday Christian leaders responsible for reaching an agreement over an electoral law that grants “real equality” among the various Lebanese factions.

It therefore warned in a statement against “some politicians’ hidden intentions to adopt the 1960 law, which will only maintain the current position and fate of Christians that is linked to other Lebanese sects.”

The Maronite Bishops Council highlighted on Wednesday Pope Benedict XVI’s upcoming visit to Lebanon, praising all sects for their welcoming of the visit.

It said in a statement after their monthly meeting: “We hope the visit will bolster coexistence and dialogue among the Lebanese people.”

A restaurant in the southern city of Tyre was fined for violating the anti-tobacco law, the first such move since the regulation came into force on Monday, Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) reported.

VDL said Wednesday that a Ministry of Economy staff member fined the SUNSET restaurant that lies on the southern corniche on Tuesday night after he saw several customers smoking water pipes indoor.

Unknown assailants abducted 16-year-old Syrian teen in the town of Hennawi in South Lebanon, the National News Agency reported on Wednesday.

The assailants sent a text message to the parents of Mohammed Ali al-Jouban, informing them that the boy was kidnapped.

A bomb was found on Wednesday under al-Rmeileh Bridge south of Beirut, the National News Agency reported.

According to the news agency, a military expert arrived at the scene and revealed that the bomb wasn’t attached to a detonator.

Fuel prices climbed in the past few weeks, prompting the Gas Station Owners Association to threaten on Wednesday precautionary measures to face this hike.

“The government should cap soaring fuel prices,” Fadi Abou Shaqra, advisor to the Gas Station Owners Association told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3).

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat noted on Wednesday that his ties with the Hariri family date back to the days when slain former Premier Rafik Hariri was in power and they have continued to this day with his son and former PM Saad Hariri.

The PSP said in a statement: “Our common struggle and political relationship with the Hariri family transcend differences.”