Army retirees protest in Riad al-Solh on Oct. 6. (Credit: Hassan Assal)
BEIRUT — Lebanese Army retirees called on Saturday for demonstrations on Tuesday to protest against the government's failure to fulfill their salary-related demands, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
Former army and security officers have protested multiple times across the country over the last two years, 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.
In a statement published by NNA, the retirees' association announced that they plan to "close the TVA and port buildings" with their mobilization.
The association clarified that its move was decided following the "government's procrastination to correct wages and give salary increases to what remains of the public sector."
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.
Finally, the retirees said that Tuesday's protest is "a final message to this government before taking measures and movements that will include all decision-making positions, as it is not permissible to remain silent about the humiliation of military personnel and retirees."