Lebanese civil servants protest austerity measures

By Wasim Saif al-Din

BEIRUT (AA) – Public-sector employees and military retirees demonstrated on Monday in central Beirut to protest the government's stated intention to reduce their salaries and pensions.

Organized by Lebanon’s Trade Union Coordination Body and Association of Public Administration Employees, Monday’s protest was timed to coincide with the Lebanese government’s weekly cabinet meeting.

Protesters demand the cancellation of certain articles of this year’s state budget, which they say adversely affect their salaries and pensions.

After security forces sprayed protesters with water hoses, the latter responded by setting rubber car tires alight.