The field escalation of retired military personnel has begun to move to the heart of Beirut, protesting against the failure to meet their demands in the form they see as fair in the 2027 draft budget, coinciding with the government’s continued discussion of the project’s provisions.
Video clips spread across social media showing retired military personnel starting to set up tents in Riad Solh Square, coinciding with burning tires and closing a number of roads, in a protest movement to demand their rights and improve their living conditions.
As part of the same movements, retired soldiers partially blocked the road at the Palma Bridge on the road linking Tripoli and Beirut, in preparation for the protest movements scheduled for tomorrow.
The move comes in objection to the 2027 draft budget not including anything that meets the demands of retired military personnel to improve salaries and living conditions, amid mounting objections to the project from segments in the public sector.
During its session held today, Tuesday, devoted to discussing the 2027 budget, the Council of Ministers began studying the draft articles one by one, and made amendments to some of them, with the sessions continuing until the draft law is completed.
Regarding the demands of retired military personnel, Information Minister Paul Morcos announced that the Council of Ministers indicated a retroactive increase of 6 salaries, in addition to social, health, and educational benefits, stressing that the government is not oblivious to social concerns.
Morcos also affirmed the government’s readiness for dialogue with stakeholders with the aim of reaching a formula that improves their conditions and does justice to them, noting that the Council of Ministers assigned a ministerial committee to meet with representatives of the Armed Forces Veterans Association.
