Lebanon's collapse piles strain on army, security forces

Lebanon's collapse piles strain on army, security forces Hello people in the world, today Random Find Truth will provide information about the correctness and important updated opinions that you must read with the title Lebanon's collapse piles strain on army, security forces that has been Random Find Truth analysis, search and prepare well for you to read all. Hopefully information from Random Find Truth about Articles Prophecy, the Random Find Truth write you can make us all human beings who are knowledgeable and blessed for all.

Title : Lebanon's collapse piles strain on army, security forces
Link : Lebanon's collapse piles strain on army, security forces

Discontent is brewing in the ranks of Lebanon's security forces over a currency crash wiping out most of the value of their salaries as unrest and crime surge.

In unusually outspoken comments, army chief General Joseph Aoun said his warnings that the pressure on soldiers' earnings and morale could lead to an "implosion" had fallen on deaf ears.

Lebanon's pound has crashed 85 percent since late 2019 in a financial meltdown that poses the biggest threat to stability since the 1975-1990 civil war.

"Soldiers are going hungry like the people," he said on Monday, berating politicians without naming names.

"Do they want the army or not? Do you want the army to stay on its feet or not? ... They don't care."

The basic monthly salary of a soldier or policeman, which used to amount to around $800, is worth under $120 today. Budget cuts pushed the military to cut meat from its meals last year.

In what was seen as a sign of the times, the French embassy donated food parcels last month to the Lebanese army, which has long been backed by Western nations.

Some officials caution that security forces will struggle to contain unrest.

More than half the population is now poor, with wages slashed across the board, prices soaring and no state rescue plan in sight. That was even before the currency hit a record low last week after months of political paralysis.

The military, its commander and the caretaker interior minister have denied recent local media reports that economic hardship spurred a rise in forces abandoning duty.

Still, three security sources told Reuters a buildup of pressure on lower-ranking servicemen has fueled concerns of desertions. READ MORE