Hundreds of Libyans took to the streets of Tripoli on Friday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah and accusing his government of blocking elections and failing to restore stability.
The protests, which turned violent near the Prime Minister’s Office, led to the death of one security officer, according to government officials.
Chanting slogans such as “The nation wants to topple the government” and “We want elections,” the demonstrators first gathered at Martyrs’ Square before marching to the main government building in the city center. Some carried defaced images of Dbeibah, his national security adviser Ibrahim Dbeibah, and Interior Minister Emad Tarabulsi.
“We won’t leave until he leaves,” one protester declared during the march.
The protests come days after violent clashes erupted between rival armed groups in Tripoli — the worst fighting the capital has seen in years, prompting calls for Dbeibah’s resignation. According to the United Nations, eight civilians were killed in the conflict. The unrest intensified after the prime minister ordered the disbandment of armed factions on Tuesday, sparking retaliation from militia groups.
Government officials said protesters attempted to storm the Prime Minister’s Office, leading to the death of a member of the building’s security force. A government statement claimed security forces “thwarted an attempted storming” and released footage showing damage to the building’s perimeter fence.
As public anger mounted, three ministers resigned in solidarity with the protesters: Economy and Trade Minister Mohamed al-Hawij, Local Government Minister Badr Eddin al-Tumi, and Housing Minister Abu Bakr al-Ghawi.
The protests have not disrupted oil production. Libya’s National Oil Corporation confirmed on Friday that operations at oil fields and export terminals remain normal, reporting daily output of 1.38 million barrels. The country’s key energy facilities are located far from the capital, primarily in the south and east.
Dbeibah came to power in 2021 through a United Nations-backed peace process aimed at unifying Libya’s rival factions and steering the country toward elections. However, those elections were indefinitely postponed due to political disagreements, allowing Dbeibah to stay in office beyond his mandate.
Many Libyans blame the government for entrenching the influence of armed groups and delaying a democratic transition.
“We are here today to express our anger against Dbeibah and everyone who has held on to power for years and blocked elections,” said protester and businessman Wael Abdulhafed.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya expressed concern over the growing violence and urged all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and public property.
Libya has remained unstable since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi. Since 2014, the country has been divided between eastern and western rival administrations. Although a ceasefire has largely held since 2020, Tripoli and its surroundings remain contested by a patchwork of armed groups.
