One of the facades of the Grand Serail's inner courtyard in Beirut, Feb. 11, 2022. Illustration photo by P.H.B.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed his "surprise" at a call for protests by retired military personnel on Tuesday, which came ahead of a government meeting scheduled to discuss the 2025 budget.
"The Prime Minister is surprised by the call for escalation, given that discussions concerning public sector employees and retirees have not yet begun. The government is in the process of implementing temporary measures, including social aid for the public sector, pending Parliament's approval of the budget," a Grand Serail statement said on Monday.
Mikati, who assured he "respects" the right of retired soldiers to express their views, condemned their calls to block the road leading to the Grand Serail to prevent ministers from arriving. The Prime Minister announced that he had instructed the army and Internal Security Forces "to take necessary measures" to ensure the ministers could attend the meeting.