SHOTLIST: BEIRUT, LEBANON (APR. 24, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL) 1. PROTESTERS GATHERED IN FRONT OF GOVERNMENT PALACE 2. VARIOUS OF LEBANESE DELIVERING SPEECH AT PROTEST/ CROWN CHEERING, APPLAUDING 3. ONE OF PROTESTERS HOLDING NOOSE/ ANOTHER PROTESTER CARRYING BANNER, STAINED SHIRT HANGING ON STICK (TWO SHOTS) 4. CLOSE SHOT OF STAINED SHIRT HANGING ON STICK 5. CROWD OF PROTESTERS BEIRUT, LEBANON - APR. 24: Hundreds of retired soldiers and their families gathered on Thursday, Apr. 24, in Lebanon's capital, Beirut, to stage a protest demanding improvements to their living conditions. The demonstrators, who gathered in Riyad al-Solh Square in front of the Government Palace in Beirut, called for the inclusion of a provision in the 2025 budget to increase their salaries. Waving Lebanese flags and banners calling for higher wages, the retired soldiers expressed that their salaries have lost 90% value since the country’s economic crisis began in 2019. The protesters demanded that the Cabinet draft a bill to improve the living conditions of retired soldiers and urged political forces in Parliament to advocate for their rights. Lebanon's economic crisis, which began in 2019, and the devaluation of the local currency have negatively impacted many sectors of society.