Army retirees protest in Riad al-Solh demanding higher pensions

BEIRUT — Dozens of army retirees protested next to the Grand Serail in Riad al-Solh Square in downtown Beirut on Friday demanding higher pensions, the latest in a string of similar protests over inadequate retirement benefits.

"You are responsible for implementing laws and decisions. How did you violate them?" one banner read.

Army retirees protest in Riad al-Solh on Oct. 6. (Credit: Hassan Assal)

Hundreds of former army and security officers have protested multiple times across the country over the last year, demanding increased pensions. Scuffles have broken out between veterans and security forces, with demonstrators trying at times to break into Parliament and the Banque du Liban headquarters and were met with tear gas. 

The Lebanese lira has lost more than 90 percent of its value against the dollar since the start of the economic crisis in 2019, plunging thousands of people below the poverty line and causing financial hardship for army retirees.