Libyan media reported that protesters stormed the Libyan parliament building in the eastern city of Tobruk on Friday, protesting against deteriorating living conditions and a political deadlock.
Several television channels said protesters managed to break into and vandalize the building, while media outlets showed images of thick columns of black smoke rising from its perimeter as angry young protesters torched tyres.
Other media reports said that part of the building was burnt.
The parliament building in Libya was empty on Friday because it was a weekend.
Libya’s parliament, or House of Representatives, is located in Tobruk, hundreds of kilometers (miles) east of the capital Tripoli, following an east-west dispute in 2014 following an uprising that overthrew dictator Momar Kadhafi three years ago.
A rival body, formally known as the High Council of State, is based in Tripoli.
Images on Friday showed a demonstrator driving a bulldozer managed to break through a portion of the gate, allowing other protesters to enter more easily, while officers’ cars were set on fire.
Later, the protesters started breaking down the walls of the building with construction equipment.
Others, some waving green flags of the Kadhafi regime, threw office documents into the air.
Recognizing “citizens’ right to peaceful demonstration”, Parliament condemned “acts of vandalism and burning” of its headquarters.
The interim prime minister of the Tripoli-based government, Abdulhamid Dabibah, said on Twitter that he would add his voice to the protesters and called for elections to be held.
Libya has faced several days of power cuts due to the blockade of several oil facilities against a backdrop of political rivalry.
“We want the lights to work,” the protesters chanted.
failed to resolve the negotiating deadlock
Two governments have been vying for power for months: one based in Tripoli, headed by Dabibah, and the other headed by former interior minister Fati Bashaga, who has been appointed by parliament and the eastern-based strongman Khalifa Haftar. supported by.
Libyan channel al-Ahrar was quoted as saying by Libyan channel al-Ahrar on Friday: “I call on my parliamentary colleagues as well as members of the High Council of the State to respect the will of the Libyan people and maintain the stability of Libya.” I call upon you to resign collectively.” ,
MLA Balkhir Alshab said: “We must recognize our failure and immediately withdraw from the political scene.”
The presidential and parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for December last year, were meant to limit the UN-led peace process after the last major round of violence ended in 2020.
But the vote never took place due to several controversial candidates and deep disagreements over the legal basis of the election between rival power centers in the East and West.
The United Nations said on Thursday that talks between rival Libyan institutions aimed at breaking the impasse have failed to resolve critical differences.
Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh and High Council State President Khalid al-Misri met at the United Nations for three days of talks in Geneva to discuss a draft constitutional framework for the election.
Although some progress had been made, but not enough to move the election forward, there are still differences between the two sides over who can stand in the presidential election, said Stephanie Williams, the top Libyan envoy to the United Nations. , which facilitated the negotiations.
‘Growing fast’
The elections appear likely as far away, since the HOR elected in 2014 appointed Bashaga, arguing that Dabiba’s mandate had expired.
After failing to enter Bashagha Tripoli in an armed standoff in May, rival administrations have taken office to the east in Kadhafi’s hometown of Sirte.
Tripoli has seen repeated clashes between armed groups in recent weeks, raising fears of a return to full-scale conflict.
Protests broke out on Friday in other Libyan cities, including Tripoli, where protesters took pictures of Dabiba and Bashagha.
European Council on Foreign Relations analyst Tarek Magerisi tweeted: “The declining quality of life, the entire political class that makes it up, and the United Nations that involved them to deliver the promised change triggered popular protests.” Huh.”
“Things are moving fast and the response will define Libya’s heat,” he said.
Libya’s National Oil Corporation said on Monday that a blockade on oil installations in Sirte’s central coastal region could mean it could declare a force majeure, a measure relieved of contractual obligations due to circumstances beyond its control. Is.
The blockade of two major oil export terminals and several oil fields began in April.
Strong Haftar’s forces based in the east control major oil facilities.
The drop in gas production contributed to chronic power cuts, which can last as long as 12 hours a day.
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