Politics

Libya: Protestors Burn Parts of Parliament Building in Tobru

JAN 23 2022·Updated AUG 4 2022

Story

Image credit: Reuters [via The Hindu]

The Facts

On Sat., Libyan protesters said they will keep demonstrating until all ruling elites quit, after rallies on Fri. saw crowds burn parts of the parliament building in Tobruk.
Reuters
Protestors outraged by feuding politicians and subpar living conditions also demonstrated in Benghazi, al-Baydha, Misrata, and other smaller towns - with many protesting over chronic power cuts and demonstrators in Tobruk accusing the government of treason and stealing money.
Reuters
Libya has been torn between two feuding factions since 2014 after a 2011 NATO-backed rebellion ousted longtime leader Moammar Gaddafi.
CNN
Since the toppling of the Gaddafi regime two factions have sought control over the country: the interim PM Abdul Hamid Dbeibah is based in Tripoli and his opposition, former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha, is based in the eastern part of Libya.
Al Jazeera
Elections were scheduled to take place in Dec. 2021 but the polling locations and legitimacy of the election were questioned by both sides and voting never took place.
VOA
In Mar., the House of Representatives appointed Fathi Bashagha to take over as PM, but UN-appointed interim PM Dbeibah has refused to step down. Friday's protests come a day after leaders failed to reach an agreement on elections during UN-mediated talks in Geneva.
Reuters

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

The people of Libya have a right to peacefully protest but the defacing of the parliament building and destructive rioting is unnacceptable. Libyan leaders have been working with the UN to bring about change, and violence will not help this process.

The Associated Press

Establishment-critical narrative

The people of Libya are tired of feuding factions, the crumbling quality of life, and the UN who indulged the political class behind Lybia's instability. The possibility of elections seems slim, forcing Lybians to take action. Enough is enough; it's time for change.