Dozens of Lebanese military and security veterans are protesting for the second time in two weeks against proposed cuts to their pensions and benefits, as the government discusses a budget bill that aims to cut public spending and usher in austerity measures.
The protesters gathered Friday in downtown Beirut outside the government offices to denounce what they called “painful” and “unpopular” measures.
They asked the government to address corruption and retrieve lost funds instead of slashing their benefits.
Professors in the state-owned Lebanese University also protested Friday potential cuts to their wages.
The government is facing public discontent as it prepares a budget that aims to tackle a widening deficit and a national debt that stands at more than 150 percent of GDP.
Also Read
-
Lebanon students get classes in surviving war and disasters
For students at Takmiliyat Al Kobba 2nd School in Tripoli in northern Lebanon, getting an education used to mean risking their lives in a hail of ... Features -
UAE will soon lift Lebanon travel ban, says a report
The United Arab Emirates will soon lift a ban on its citizens traveling to Lebanon, Lebanese state media cited the UAE’s ambassador to Lebanon ... Gulf -
Hariri says Lebanon far from bankruptcy, cites risks of no reform
Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said on Monday Lebanon was far from bankruptcy but failure to pass a “realistic” budget that brings down the ... Economy -
UN report calls for the disarmament of Lebanon’s Hezbollah
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called again for the disarmament of Lebanon's Hezbollah and the halting of its military interventions in ... Middle East -
Lebanon’s Finance Minister: We’re definitely not on the brink of bankruptcy
The Lebanese Finance Minister, Ali Hassan Khalil, said that Lebanon is “definitely not on the brink of bankruptcy,” in an exclusive ... Features
