The wage hike will be effective as of February after the official gazette, issued on Thursday, included the decree approved by the cabinet, which set the minimum wage at LL675,000.

The controversial wage increase was signed by President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Najib Miqati, and Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas after the cabinet adopted the deal between the Economic Committees and the General Labor Confederation, which was sponsored by Miqati in December at the Baabda Palace.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi called on Thursday the Lebanese people to once again adhere to the National Pact “because Lebanon belongs to all sides” and not one party or faction.

He said before a delegation from the Editors Syndicate: “Our dialogue with Hizbullah does not replace the all-party talks at the Baabda Palace.”

Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour held talks on Thursday with Libyan judges Mahmoud al-Yasir and Abdul Latif Qaddour on the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Imam Moussa al-Sadr and his two colleagues.

Libya is probing the mysterious disappearance Sadr who went missing in Tripoli 33 years ago.

Unknown assailants have set the office of the mayor of al-Sharqiyeh town in Nabatiyeh on fire, burning all the documents and identification records of the town’s residents, the National News Agency reported Thursday.

Mayor Hani Abdul Raouf Shoaib filed a complaint with the Internal Security Forces, which inspected the burned office at the town square and launched an investigation to find the culprits, NNA said.

Energy Minister Jebran Bassil defended on Thursday oil refineries that have been accused of corruption saying they should be rewarded rather than questioned over the red diesel scandal.

In remarks to As Safir daily, Bassil said: “The oil refineries that are being accused of corruption and making illicit gains should be rewarded because they sold red diesel at a total amount that is less than what is allowed for and not more as is being rumored.”

Italian ambassador to Lebanon Giuseppe Morabito stressed on Thursday that Lebanon should continue to respect its international commitments and cooperation with the international community.

“The Lebanese people and political components are wise. They understand that Lebanon has no interest in isolating itself from the international community,” Morabito said in an interview with An Nahar newspaper.

Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour said on Thursday that he will send the Lebanese diplomatic missions a reminder about the importance of submitting the names of the expatriates who want to vote during the 2013 parliamentary elections.

An Nahar newspaper reported that the efforts exerted by the missions are insufficient as most reminders are posted on the walls of the embassies or consulates. But most expatriates don’t head to these centers.

President Michel Suleiman is exerting efforts to resume the national dialogue between Lebanese foes as he is seeking to convince the parliamentary majority and the opposition to meet, al-Joumhouria newspaper reported on Thursday.

Sources close to Suleiman told the daily that he is open to all suggestions and has expressed readiness to hold bilateral talks with various Lebanese leaders on the condition that they become the basis for holding the all-party talks.

The head of the Audit Bureau vowed on Thursday to unveil the truth behind a red diesel scandal that rocked Lebanon last week as he decided to send inspectors to the North after grilling directors general of oil refineries.

“There won’t be immunity and protection to anyone,” Judge Aouni Ramadan told As Safir daily. The Bureau will follow up the red diesel scandal until all the facts become clear, he said.

The cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal by the Energy and Water Ministry to resume the controversial installation of high-voltage electricity lines in the Metn area of Mansouriyeh-Ain Saadeh, amid a verbal clash during the session between Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas and Interior Minister Marwan Charbel.

Briefing reporters after the session, Information Minister Walid al-Daouq said Premier Najib Miqati stressed the importance of “solidarity” among the cabinet members and the need to avoid any dispute.