Protesters stormed parliament to protest the deteriorating living conditions and political stagnation.
A senior UN official for Libya has condemned the assault on parliament headquarters by angry protesters as part of protests in several cities against the country’s economic crisis and political stalemate.
Hundreds of protesters marched on the streets of the capital, Tripoli and other Libyan cities on Friday, many attacking and setting fire to government buildings, including the House of Representatives in the eastern city of Tobruk.
“The right of the people to protest peacefully must be respected and protected, but riots and acts of vandalism such as the assault on the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon in Tobruk are totally unacceptable,” he posted on Twitter Stephanie Williams, the UN Special Adviser on Libya. on Saturday.
“It is absolutely vital that calm is maintained, that Libya’s responsible leadership and the moderation exercised by all are demonstrated.”
1/2 The right of the people to demonstrate peacefully must be respected and protected, but riots and acts of vandalism such as the assault on the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon in Tobruk are totally unacceptable.
– Stephanie Turco Williams (@SASGonLibya) July 2, 2022
Friday’s protests came a day after parliamentary leaders and another Tripoli-based legislature failed to reach an agreement on the elections during UN-mediated talks in Geneva. The dispute now focuses on the eligibility requirements of candidates, according to the UN.
Libya was unable to hold elections in December due to challenges such as legal disputes, controversial presidential aspirations and the presence of rogue militias and foreign fighters in the country.
The failure to hold the vote was a major blow to international efforts to bring peace to the Mediterranean nation. It has opened a new chapter in its long-running political impasse, with two rival governments now claiming power after interim steps towards unity last year.
Acting Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah leads a Tripoli-based administration, while former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha receives support from the Tobruk-based House of Representatives and renegade military Khalifa Haftar.
Fragile situation
Protesters have also protested against the terrible economic conditions in the oil-rich nation, where fuel and bread prices have risen and power cuts are common.
Libya’s energy sector has also been the victim of political divisions, with a wave of forced closures of oil facilities since April.
Supporters of the east-based administration have shut down oil taps as a lever in their efforts to secure a transfer of power to Bashagha, whose attempt to take office in Tripoli in May ended. with a quick withdrawal.
People hold a banner saying “The departure of all foreign forces in the east and west of the country” in Tripoli, Libya [Hazem Ahmed/Reuters]
The National Oil Corporation of Libya has announced losses of more than $ 3.5 billion due to closures and a drop in gas production, which has a side effect on the electricity grid.
In recent weeks there have been repeated skirmishes between armed groups in Tripoli, which has sparked fears of a return to conflict on a large scale.
Sabadell Jose, sent by the European Union to Libya, has called on protesters to “avoid any kind of violence.” He said Friday’s demonstrations showed that people want “change through elections and their voices need to be heard.”
Libya has suffered a conflict since a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The country was divided for years between rival administrations in the east and west, each with the support of different armed groups and foreign governments.