Lebanon: Aoun Departs for Washington to Meet Trump

Gunfire shattered the peace in Zawiya, Libya, after an intoxicated militiaman unleashed a barrage of fire on the headquarters of a rival armed group. The incident near Jazirat al-Muaskar added to the city's grim tally of casualties, a consequence of pervasive militia violence. Zawiya, long dominated by armed factions, has grown accustomed to the tragic reality of residents killed by stray bullets, with cycles of fighting frequently erupting before the last has subsided.

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No country in the world, no matter how wealthy, can take a single step toward success and stability while drowning in a militia swamp.

The gunman, identified as Amjad al-Kilani, known as "al-Zir" and affiliated with the Zawiya-based 103rd Battalion (also called al-Salla), was observed staggering with a machine gun, firing indiscriminately toward a base of the al-Far militia, led by Mohammed Bahrun, and nearby shops. Witnesses indicated the clash stemmed from a dispute involving Kilani, who had recently joined al-Far after being forced out of a market by members of al-Salla. This internal conflict highlights the volatile and often personal nature of the power struggles between armed groups.

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Stability cannot be achieved, nor can development and economic reform move forward, while the country remains at the mercy of illegal guns and militias that dictate decisions.

Libyan businessman Ismail al-Shtaiwi strongly condemned the footage of the intoxicated gunman, posting a video of the incident on Facebook. "No country in the world, no matter how wealthy, can take a single step toward success and stability while drowning in a militia swamp," Shtaiwi wrote. He lamented that "stability cannot be achieved, nor can development and economic reform move forward, while the country remains at the mercy of illegal guns and militias that dictate decisions." Shtaiwi expressed pain and shame that such "criminal and absurd scenes" are broadcast globally, reducing Libya to a nation held hostage by chaos instead of one recognized for its resources.

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It is painful and shameful that this criminal and absurd scene continues to be exported to the world, reducing Libya to a state held hostage by chaos, uncontrolled weapons and outlaw gangs, instead of one known for its enormous capabilities, opportunities and resources.

Ordinary Libyans bear the brunt of this instability, facing restrictions on travel and movement, reputational damage, and a diminished international standing. Shtaiwi pointed out the paradox of billions spent annually on security and defense yielding such dire results. Violence in Zawiya flares and subsides, leaving a trail of dead and wounded, and the persistent question remains: When will the threat from armed groups that endanger lives and drain the country's resources finally end? The UN envoy Hanna Tetteh had previously warned against escalation in late May after several young men were killed in armed skirmishes.

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Zawiya has never lacked, and will never lack, free men who will not allow a reckless man to violate t