Beirut - Lebanon's rival factions appeared on a collision course Tuesday on the eve of a major demonstration called by the opposition-backed General Federation of Labour Unions.

The head of Lebanon's (GFLU) Ghassan Ghosen urged supporters to join a "popular" demonstration at 10 a. m. Wednesday from Beirut's mainly Sunni Barbir Square, ending up at the Central Bank headquarters in the centre of the city.

The union rejected a government decision on Tuesday to raise the minimum monthly wage by 130 dollars.

Information Minister Ghazi Aridi told reporters that the government decided in its weekly cabinet meeting to raise minimum salaries from 200 dollars to 330 dollars, and also agreed on special bonuses for civil servants and retired public sector workers.

But the union said the the moves did not go far enough and protested that the bonus did not apply to the private sector.

"The government's decisions are insufficient," said Ghassan Ghosen, adding that the general strike would go ahead as planned.

Many feared that the demonstration Wendesday could lead to street confrontation with supporters of the ruling majority, as the demonstartion will penetrate their traditional strongholds.

These include areas controlled by supporters of majority leader Saad Hariri and Walid Jumblat's Progressive Socialist Party.

A similar opposition-sponsored strike in January 2007 led to serious confrontations between the Hezbollah-led opposition and the majority that almost sparked civil unrest.

Ghosen, addressing a press conference, also pledged that the demonstration would be "only the beginning of serial protests, including general strikes, demonstrations and sit-ins aimed at putting at end to controlling our present and future."

However, some unions who oppose Ghosen's leadership, announced that they would boycott the strike and declared Wednesday a day of normal work.

The bank employees' union announced it would boycott the strike and said Wednesday would be a normal working day, noting that the pay raise adopted by the government met labour demands.

However, the union of civil aviation employees said it would abide by the strike, bringing Beirut Airport activity to a standstill from 9 a. m. to 6 p. m.

General Ashraf Rifi, commander of the Internal Security Forces, declared that very tight security would be applied throughout Lebanon on Wednesday to maintain law and order.

According to the consumer association, prices have risen by 43 per cent over the past 21 months, while the official unemployment rate stands at 10 per cent.

Central bank governor Riad Salameh also said last week that the inflation rate had risen by 10 per cent, owing to a rise in oil prices on international markets and the weakening of the dollar. (dpa)