Retired Military Personnel Protest in Front of the Government Palace

A number of retired military personnel staged a sit-in in front of the Council of Ministers' headquarters to prevent ministers from entering the government session scheduled for today, in rejection of any salary or pension increases in the public sector that contradict the principle of justice and equality. The first entrance to the government palace was closed amidst a heavy security presence to ensure the ministers' access to the session. The retired military personnel set fire to tires and blocked the Zuqaq al-Blat road. The movement of retired military personnel had called yesterday for all retired military members and public sector associations in various Lebanese regions to "protest on Friday at 10 AM in front of the Council of Ministers in Riad al-Solh," urging them to "hold the largest possible turnout to raise their voices against this unjust authority, which has turned its back on the sacrifices of the martyrs and the disabled, and has rigorously impoverished and starved the retirees who dedicated the prime of their lives to defend the nation and protect its people."