Lawmakers started voting on the budget on Friday while retired army veterans carried on with demonstrations as part of their anti-budget protest actions.

Protests took place near Nejmeh Square and Riad al-Solh against the 2019 draft austerity budget articles that cut veterans’ pensions and end-of-service benefits.

Protestors tried to storm into the Parliament after removing barbed wires and reaching Nejmeh square before riot police and security forces prevented them from moving forward.

Veterans affirmed that they will not attempt to enter the Parliament today so there won’t be any clashes with security forces.