Retired veterans secure promises on six key demands

Lebanon’s retired army veterans achieved a breakthrough on Monday September 22, 2025 following a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Grand Serail. Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, Defense Minister Michel Mansi, and Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar also attended, lending weight to the negotiations.

According to retired officer Mohamed Hammoud, who spoke to The Beiruter, the talks resulted in six concrete commitments:

·        Additional grants: Two supplementary grants will be disbursed this month, a pledge personally confirmed by Finance Minister Jaber.

·        Equal school allowances: Veterans’ educational support will be raised to 100%, aligning with benefits given to civilian public employees.

·        Salary and wage committee: A joint body comprising retirees and representatives of the finance, defense, and interior ministries will be formed to review salaries and recommend adjustments.

·        Integration of grants into salaries: Previously irregular allowances will be consolidated into monthly salaries to ensure stability.

·        Correction of family compensations: Spousal and children’s allowances, as well as compensations linked to medals, will be revised upward.

·        Budget inclusion: The upcoming state budget will specifically account for public-sector salary adjustments, including for military retirees, with phased increments of 40–50% leading toward full parity.

Hammoud stressed to The Beiruter that these outcomes were the product of determination and dialogue:

We  don’t want more, we don’t want less. We just want to live with dignity. Today we secured promises, and God willing, they will be fulfilled

He also underlined the shift in tone compared to previous encounters: “The first time we met the Prime Minister, the atmosphere wasn’t encouraging. Today, with the key ministers present, there are concrete results on the table.”

For Lebanon’s retired veterans long left behind amid the economic collapse the six clauses are not only financial measures but also recognition of years of service. As Hammoud concluded in his remarks to The Beiruter:

We are united. No one among us is seeking political gain. We are simply asking for our rights

While the promises secured at the Grand Serail mark an important step forward, the real test lies in their implementation. For thousands of retired servicemen and their families, dignity depends not on commitments made in meetings but on policies delivered in practice. The government’s credibility will now be measured by whether these pledges translate into lasting relief and whether Lebanon’s veterans, after years of neglect, finally receive the recognition and stability they deserve.