Several hundred Libyans gathered yesterday in Tripoli, the seat of the UN-recognized government of national unity, to express their support for it after two mass demonstrations calling for its departure after deadly fighting in the capital ten days ago, reported Agence France-Presse, quoted by BTA.
Many of the demonstrators were transported by bus to the center of Tripoli from neighboring cities such as Misrata and Azizia.
"No to the militias! "Yes to the rule of law and the state," "The armed groups must be disbanded," chanted the demonstrators, some of whom held banners calling for elections.
Libya, an oil-rich country, has struggled to restore stability since the 2011 uprising that ended Muammar Gaddafi's 42-year dictatorship. Two governments are vying for power: the Government of National Accord in Tripoli, led by Abdelhamid Dbeiba, and the other in Benghazi, in eastern Libya, supported by the influential Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
Presidential and parliamentary elections were due to be held in December 2021, but have been postponed indefinitely due to differences between the two rival camps.
"We want a single homeland, laws applicable to all," one protester said in a statement read to the crowd.
The demonstrators also demanded the restoration of the constitution, introduced when the country declared independence in 1951 but repealed after Gaddafi's coup in 1969. In July 2017 A commission elected by popular vote and tasked with drafting a constitution presented a text to parliament that was to be put to a referendum. It has never come into force, AFP recalls.
The protesters also called for the dissolution of the Radaa Forces, an armed group that controls eastern Tripoli, the airport and several prisons. The prime minister announced its dissolution last week. Between May 12 and 15, forces loyal to the government clashed with several armed groups, including Radaa, after the decisive disbandment of "all paramilitary groups" controlling the city, which according to Dbeiba had become "stronger than the state".
According to UN data, at least 8 people died in the fighting.
On Friday evening, about a thousand protesters gathered in the center of Tripoli for the second consecutive week, demanding the removal of Dbeiba and the dissolution of the government and other institutions, including both houses of parliament.