Lebanon's retired military personnel take part in a protest on a highway in Lebanon, June 27, 2019. Military veterans held demonstrations Thursday by blocking roads and burning tires in several Lebanese areas to protest over the 2019 state budget which cut their pensions and retirement benefits, the National News Agency reported. (Xinhua/Khalid)
BEIRUT, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Military veterans held demonstrations Thursday by blocking roads and burning tires in several Lebanese areas to protest over the 2019 state budget which cut their pensions and retirement benefits, the National News Agency reported.
Protests began at 5 a.m. in the morning and ended at 9 a.m. following a statement by the Lebanese army calling on the protesters to open roads while emphasizing their solidarity with retired military army and their rights.
Meanwhile, retired military personnel issued a statement Thursday morning, warning against any possible cuts in their wages and retirement benefits.
"We will escalate our movements if the 2019 budget includes any articles that affect our benefits and wages," the statement said.
Retired military personnel have been waging several demonstrations since the beginning of April in protest over the 2019 budget that reduces their pensions and ends their service benefits.
Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Bou Saab previously announced that a 3-percent reduction to the veterans' pensions would be adopted to fund their healthcare.
The 2019 budget is currently being discussed by the parliament after being approved by the council of ministers.
