The Ministry of National Defense has disclosed that the Liberian Government is indebted to former soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia in arrears and pension calculations.

Addressing the Intellectual Discourse Committee of the University of Liberia Student Union (ULSU) on the main campus of the university yesterday, Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai, Jr. said records available to the Ministry of National Defense show that the Government of Liberia owes former personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia their salary arrears and their pension calculations.

The disclosure made by the Defense Minister comes against the backdrop of recent demands backed by street protests staged by former soldiers of the AFL and deactivated security personnel for additional retirement benefits.

Minister Samukai also said the government owes former personnel of the Liberia National Police and the Special Security Service ( SSS ) their salary arrears.

The Defense Ministry averred that his ministry has submitted to the Ministry of Finance the list of retired soldiers of the AFL to receive their pension claims. He also disclosed that consultation is currently taking place among the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Finance and the Civil Service Agency to determine the appropriate circulations based on the laws of the country.