BEIRUT, May 20 (Xinhua) -- A confrontation took place on Monday between protesters and police soldiers in the capital Beirut during a demonstration organized by retired military personnel and other public sector employees against proposed austerity measures, local media reported.
Local TV channels broadcasted footage of soldiers using water cannons to disperse demonstrators and prevent them from reaching the Grand Serail where the council of ministers is convening to discuss the 2019 state budget.
One veteran tried to set himself on fire but police soldiers stopped him from doing so.
Public sector employees including military personnel have been waging demonstrations in the past two weeks to protest a possible cut in their wages aimed at reducing the state budget's deficit.
Endorsing a state budget that slashes the deficit is among the measures the government has pledged to take as part of the key financial and economic reforms recommended last year.
To curb Lebanon's budget deficit, which increased to over 11 percent of GDP, the cabinet will seek to reduce the deficit by 1 percent each year over the next five years by limiting government expenditures.
The council of ministers is currently studying the 2019 draft budget, while it is expected to end its discussions of the different provisions included in the budget in the coming two days to transfer it to the parliament for approval.
