Libyan protesters occupy electricity company, threaten total collapse

Protesters in Libya's capital, Tripoli, have escalated their demonstrations by storming the General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) headquarters. The group disrupted services, threatening a complete system collapse as part of wider protests demanding the ouster of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

The demonstrators, acting on orders from organized popular groups, have also targeted state-owned oil companies and government institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and banks. Social media and word-of-mouth campaigns have called for civil disobedience, citing deteriorating living conditions and the stalled political process toward unifying the divided nation.

GECOL reported that protesters entered the Mellitah oil and gas complex, located about 90 kilometers from Tripoli, and shut down gas lines essential for power generation. This action risks a total blackout and grid collapse. In response, Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeiba ordered the armed forces to intervene, prevent further blockades, and resume paralyzed operations, particularly in the oil and electricity sectors.

The GNU has vowed to act firmly against any attempts to threaten strategic facilities or disrupt basic services. However, protest movements insist that civil disobedience will continue until the government is overthrown, warning of further escalations. Libya has been politically divided since 2014, with the GNU governing the west and forces loyal to Marshal Khalifa Haftar controlling the east, while the UN and the United States seek elections to unify the country.