Instances of suffocation among retired military personnel protesting in Riad al-Solh Square were reported due to heavy use of tear gas as the protesters attempted to breach the barriers set up by the riot control forces. Vehicles from the Lebanese Red Cross arrived to treat the injured. Subsequently, calm returned to Riad al-Solh Square, where protesters summarized their demands, indicating they might escalate their actions. Some stated that they would continue to remain in front of the government palace to secure their rights, emphasizing their determination to adopt a maximum dollar exchange rate through "Sayrafa" of 45,000 Lebanese pounds, as their salaries now barely exceed 40 dollars, making it impossible to live with dignity. They stressed that their main concern is to live with dignity after serving the nation with utmost loyalty and urged the army commander to intervene and discuss their acquired rights with the relevant authorities.
Following the announcement of the cabinet session decisions, tension increased, and tires were set ablaze in front of the government palace. Public sector employees had staged a protest earlier today, Tuesday, in Riad al-Solh Square, rejecting the proposal discussed in the cabinet regarding salary increases and additional compensation for gasoline, while calling for at least partial dollarization of salaries. Groups of retired military protesters converged to participate in the demonstration, which was "against the government's policies towards retirees and the deduction of their salaries," amid heavy security deployment by internal security forces and the army. A group of retirees attempted to breach the barbed wire to enter the government palace, prompting security forces to use tear gas to disperse them from the entrances of the government building.
