$1 million invested in TL

Additional monthly allocations for wages, expenses

Talal Makdessi, Chairman of Télé Liban, said the Ministry of Finance agreed on allocating the sum of $722,000 to Télé Liban on a monthly basis. This will cover employees’ salaries, the station’s expenses, and part of the revamping plan.

The station’s employees hadn’t been receiving their wages for the past two months, due to a budgetary deficiency.

“This sum will be paid until the station reaches a comfortable financial position and pays off all its old debts.”

Makdessi said the Ministry also approved investing $1 million in cash for the TV station’s revamping. The rehabilitation plan was set by Télé Liban’s new management under Makdessi. It aims to prepare for the channel’s transition to digital broadcast before 2015.

“The government is now convinced of the importance of re-establishing a national TV station, separate from political conflicts. Our duty is to our national audience, and the reform has officially begun.”

The Ministry of Information had appointed Makdessi in August 2013 to replace the late Ibrahim El Khoury.