Libya: Demonstrations flare up against political deadlock, deteriorating living conditions

Demonstrations were staged Friday in several Libyan cities in protest against the political deadlock and the deteriorating living conditions in the country.

Protesters demanded that all existing political bodies be dissolved and presidential and parliamentary elections be held as soon as possible.

According to local and foreign media, the demonstrators also protested against the deteriorating security situation in the country, saying they would continue to protest until their demands are met.

Several television channels reported that protesters set on fire the building hosting the House of Representatives in the eastern city of Tobruk and committed acts of vandalism. They demanded the resignation of all its members.

According to local media, Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah expressed his support for the demonstrators, and stressed the need to hold elections to end the current political stalemate in the country.

“The parties obstructing the elections are known to the Libyan people. They are ones that obstructed budgets and shut down oil production, which contributed to the living crisis,” he reportedly said.

Libya has been suffering escalating violence and unrest ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011. The country is currently divided between a government that was appointed by the House of Representatives in March, and the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity that refuses to hand over office except to an elected government.

Libya failed to hold general elections in December 2021 as initially scheduled, due to disagreements over election laws among the Libyan parties.