Violence erupts outside Lebanese parliament

BEIRUT – Violence and altercations erupted Monday between retired servicemen and security forces tasked with securing the country’s parliament.

The violence coincided with holding the public session to debate a draft law on the state general budget.

Security forces used tear gas to break out the protests as a time when army reinforcements were sent to the scene.

But the Lebanese news agency reported later that calm is currently prevailing outside the parliament after a delegation of the protesting retired servicemen, accompanied by MP Jamil Sayyed, entered the House session for negotiations.