Retired army officers on Tuesday blocked most of the roads leading to the Parliament ahead of a legislative session aimed at discussing the budget, as they have launched a new round of escalatory actions to protest against the items that cut their pensions and end-of-service benefits in the 2019 draft State budget.

The veterans gathered in Martyrs' Square as they attempted to walk to Samir Kassir Square with some staging a hunger strike, but were barred by police and the Internal Security Forces, as reported by the state-run National News Agency.

MPs Elias Hankache, Paula Yaacoubian, and Jean Talouzian joined the protesters in Martyrs' Square to express support to the veterans' demands, with Yaacoubian pledging to vote against the measures that would negatively affect people's salaries.