Lebanese military veterans were targeted with tear gas in central Beirut on Thursday during a protest over their pensions losing value.
A group of around 300 retired soldiers held a demonstration outside parliament and the Prime Minister's headquarters, where the Lebanese cabinet was meeting on Thursday afternoon.
The cabinet was meeting to discuss a number of issues, including the appointment of the deputy commander in the Lebanese Army. But the topic of military pensions was not formally on the agenda, despite it coming up in discussions.
Soon after the demonstrators clashed with security forces outside parliament, Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced that another cabinet session would be held on Saturday to discuss the issue.
Heavy security had been deployed in downtown Beirut amid the protests as the Internal Security Forces and the Lebanese Army faced off against their former comrades. Some of the main streets leading to parliament were locked down in response to the demonstrations.
At least two protesters required medical treatment after security forces fired tear gas at the protest. Some demonstrators had tried to remove barriers outside the Prime Minister's headquarters. Security personnel were also visibly affected by the tear gas, while nearby businesses closed their doors to stop the fumes entering.
The retired military personnel said in a statement that they “refused to be silent” in the face of their deteriorating living situations, particularly given that they had served their country. They are seeking an adjustment to their pension that takes into account the rapid depreciation in its value because of the economic crisis that has devastated Lebanon since 2019.
The value of individual pensions varies depending on the exchange rate and former rank, but before 2019 a typical pension would have been well over $1,000 a month. Now it is less than $100.
Lebanon's economy has almost completely collapsed after suffering one of the worst economic crises the world has ever seen.
The plummeting of the Lebanese pound has plunged much of the population into poverty.
The local currency's loss of value has meant salaries and pensions are worth a fraction of what they once were.
Serving soldiers have been affected too. While a typical salary would have been around $800 a month before 2019, now it hovers around $100.
Mr Mikati said he was “well aware” of the financial situation pensioners found themselves in but said the issue required further discussion so the government did not go over above its budget.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'Skin'
Dir: Guy Nattiv
Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH DETAILS
Chelsea 4
Jorginho (4 pen, 71 pen), Azpilicueta (63), James (74)
Ajax 4
Abraham (2 og), Promes (20). Kepa (35 og), van de Beek (55)
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Thailand v UAE, Tuesday, 4pm (UAE)
TV: Abu Dhabi Sports
