Retired Soldiers Label Aid 'Morphine', Warn of Protests

$9,000 to one official could cover the salaries of 300 soldiers

By Carole Salloum (originally in Arabic) | English version prepared by Akhbar al-Yawm

Despite the Lebanese Cabinet’s approval of monthly financial subsidies for serving soldiers (LBP 14 million) and retired soldiers (LBP 12 million), the latter group remain cautious, awaiting implementation set for July 1.

Observers have described the stipends as mere "morphine shots", noting that retired service members have suspended street protests for now, pending the government's promised plan for gradual salary adjustment. However, this does not signal a cancellation of potential mobilizations.

Sources closely following the retirees' movement told the "Akhbar al-Yawm" agency that any indication of a halt in these immediate payments could trigger a swift return to street protests. Preparations for such action are reportedly already underway, amid concerns that the decree could be annulled by the State Council or that Parliament might fail to allocate the necessary funds in the 2025 budget.

There is growing concern among military retirees that political maneuvering between government authorities and parliamentary blocs could lead to shelving the aid, under the pretext of budgetary constraints, the sources warned.

The same sources also criticized what they perceive as discriminatory practices within the public sector: "Granting a senior official a sum of $9,000 raises serious questions, this amount could cover the salaries of nearly 300 soldiers", citing this as evidence of deepening inequality in the treatment of state employees.

The sources pointed out that the defense Minister Michel Mnassa has pledged to follow up on the issue and promised adjustments when economic conditions improve.

Any renewed protests by retired military personnel would signal persistent structural problems in addressing their demands. Retirees, the sources said, are determined to resolve the issue decisively and ensure that decisions affecting them are fully implemented, not left in limbo.