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
Government optimistic about [reaching] solution for nationwide strike

Even though no breakthrough has been achieved despite ongoing efforts exerted by the country’s top three officials – president, prime minister and Parliament speaker – and the Labor Unions, the coming hours seem to be crucial in reaching a deal on the social demands ahead of a Cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
The government seemed to be optimistic about reaching a solution regarding a pay raise Tuesday despite reservations voiced by the labor unions.
Ministerial sources told An-Nahar an agreement over the unions’ demands is looming which could lead to the suspension of a nationwide strike set for Wednesday.

As-Safir
Workers head toward strike Wednesday as government hopes for last-minute deal

In Beirut, the government is acting on the basis that it will arrive at magic solutions at the last minute that will prevent a nationwide strike set for Wednesday. Labor Unions, in turn, are acting on the grounds that the strike will go ahead unless a breakthrough has been reached.
And in Beirut, too, a big question looms: What is going on at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon?
This pressing question emerged in light of the dramatic developments at the STL: the resignation of STL President Judge Antonio Cassese for “health reasons.”
The STL now faces questions as to the main motive behind the resignation of Cassese, whose second term would have ended a few months from now.

While Lebanon plunged into a dispute over funding for the STL because politicians have diverse political views, Cassese’s resignation triggered a curiosity to ask the STL to provide a detailed report as to the reasons behind the series of resignations since the tribunal was established in 2007.

Al-Mustaqbal
New STL president ... Syrian military incursions in Arsal rising rather than ending
Workers hint at softening tone in negotiations but strike “in principle” still in place

The domestic scene is overwhelmed with a series of issues and crises that the government seems to be unable to find solutions for as long as some of the Cabinet ministers are busy trying to find ways to battle the funding for the STL in parallel with attempts to contain workers’ demands for salary increases.
The government’s inability does not stop there. It has also remained silent about the ongoing Syrian military violations of Lebanese territory, where an official source told Al-Mustaqbal that a Syrian unit made up of four armored vehicles (one tank and three APCs) had crossed the border 10-14 kilometers into the Bekaa town of Kirbet Daoud on the outskirts of Arsal.
As for the workers’ strike that is scheduled for Wednesday, it seems that everybody is trying to reach a last-minute deal to get out of this whirlpool.

Al-Liwaa
Stunning statements by Damascus’ mufti following Abbas’ visit
Issue of salary increases on Cabinet table: Fears of financial collapse or street action

Lebanese went to bed Monday with questions on their minds as to whether there would be a settlement on the issue of the demands by workers for salary increases or whether labor unions would go ahead with their nationwide strike.

While economic bodies hinted that they could not cope with any financial burdens under these circumstances, economists expressed fears of a financial collapse in Lebanon.
Some experts fear a repeat of what happened during the government of Prime Minister Omar Karami when an unstudied salary increase rocked the Lebanese pound and $1 became worth LL 3,000.