Hundreds of Libyans, mainly young people, demonstrated in Tripoli for the third consecutive day, Tuesday, August 25, against corruption and the deterioration of their living conditions, in a protest movement closely supervised by the security forces.
The new demonstration took place despite an intervention on Monday by the head of the Government of National Accord (GAN), Faïez Sarraj, who expressed his determination to fight corruption and promised a forthcoming cabinet reshuffle.
Under an overwhelming heat, the demonstrators marched in the streets before converging on the Martyrs Square in the center of the capital, according to an AFP journalist on the spot. The rally was supervised by law enforcement to avoid clashes, as was the case on Sunday when unidentified gunmen opened fire on protesters and injured some of them.
The protesters denounced the deterioration of public services, frequent power and water cuts, and long queues at gas stations, in a country that has the most abundant oil reserves in Africa. Above all, they protest against corruption, which adds to the ordeal of a population exhausted by years of conflict. “The corrupt must be judged! “was one of the placards held up by the demonstrators.
Government reshuffle
Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011 after a popular revolt, Libya has been undermined by insecurity and struggles for influence. It is today led by two rival entities: the GAN, based in Tripoli and recognized by the UN, and a power embodied by Khalifa Haftar, the strongman of the Libyan East.
In his televised speech on Monday evening, Mr. Sarraj tried to appease by stressing the “legitimate right” of every Libyan to express himself. “We recognize … our share of responsibility” in the deterioration of the situation, but this crisis “has been going on for years,” he said, before promising a government reshuffle:
“Based on my political and national responsibilities, I will make certain decisions, including the modification of certain ministerial portfolios. The choice of new ministers will be made on the basis of their competence, abilities, and integrity. “If this proposal is challenged, he warned that he is prepared to use “exceptional measures” to carry out the reshuffle.
Source: Le Monde
