Lebanese military retirees protest 2027 budget draft

Retired Lebanese military personnel held protests in Beirut and other regions on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, to denounce the 2027 draft budget. Protesters expressed frustration that the budget lacks provisions for salary corrections and compensation adjustments, despite previous government agreements.

In Beirut, demonstrators gathered at Riad Al Solh Square near government and parliamentary buildings, setting tires on fire and briefly bypassing security barriers. Similar demonstrations occurred in northern and eastern areas, including road closures near Baalbek and the highway between Batroun and Jbeil. Protesters are demanding a minimum wage of approximately $1,200, noting that current pensions often fall between $300 and $700 despite decades of service.

Shamel Roukoz, head of the Association of Lebanese Armed Forces Veterans, warned that if the ministerial committee does not provide satisfactory answers regarding the funding of promised salary increases, Friday could become a ‘day of anger’ involving widespread strikes and the closure of public administrations. While a joint committee including the Director General of Finance is studying the figures, retirees maintain that the budget will not be approved until salary reforms are officially included.