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Libya protests continue with state institution blockades despite armed deployment
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Culture & Society

Libya protests continue with state institution blockades despite armed deployment

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Protesters in Libya are continuing to block state institutions, demanding the departure of the Government of National Unity.
  • The government, led by Abdelhamid Dbeiba, has deployed armed groups to Tripoli to control the demonstrations.
  • Protesters cite corruption and lack of progress, specifically mentioning issues with electricity cuts and stalled projects, as reasons for their actions.

Libyan protesters are maintaining their blockade of state institutions, escalating demands for the removal of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU). The demonstrations, which began on Monday, have persisted despite the government's deployment of armed groups to the capital, Tripoli, and surrounding areas.

Caravans of militias from Misrata arrived in Tripoli to support state forces, acting on the orders of Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeiba. His government faces unprecedented popular mobilization centered on institutional blockades and boycotts. Since the protests started, fueled by persistent electricity outages throughout July, demonstrators have blocked approximately fifteen government agency headquarters, paralyzing their functions.

Protesters have targeted institutions they deem "front" organizations used to "hide and divert public funds." They cite "flagrant corruption day and night, fictitious projects, and contracts awarded with blatant favoritism." Videos published by the protesters show them using industrial welding to seal entrances, posting signs declaring "Closed by the residents of Tripoli and Friday Market. Disobedience until the Government is overthrown."

Key institutions affected include the Tripoli Projects Office, the Libya Africa Investment Fund, the Housing and Rehabilitation Projects Execution Authority, and the Foreign Investment offices. The Presidential Council, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Sports, Youth, Planning, and Local Governance, the Anti-Corruption Authority, the Airports Authority, the state news agency LANA, and several public companies, including the General Electricity Company, have also been blockaded. Protesters occupied electricity company facilities, halting staff work and disrupting gas lines feeding power plants, raising fears of a grid collapse. Dbeiba has ordered military intervention to regain control of state companies.

Corruption flagrante day and night, projects ficticios y contratos adjudicados con favoritismos descarados. No hemos visto ningún proyecto, ningún desarrollo, ningún progreso, y todo esto es un robo de los recursos del pueblo libio.

— ProtestersA statement posted on Facebook by the group protesting against state institutions, detailing their grievances.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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