Libya in Turmoil: Protesters Demand PM Dbeibah Resign as Ministers Step Down Amid Violence

Tripoli, Libya | May 18, 2025

Massive public outrage has gripped Libya’s capital as thousands of protesters take to the streets demanding the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, following days of violent clashes between rival militias that left several civilians dead. The unrest has already triggered the resignation of three key government ministers.

The resignations—Economy Minister Mohamed al-Hawij, Local Government Minister Badr Eddin al-Tumi, and Housing Minister Abu Bakr al-Ghawi—came amid mounting pressure and widespread condemnation of the government’s handling of the escalating security crisis.

Tensions boiled over after the killing of powerful militia leader Abdulghani Kikli, popularly known as “Ghaniwa,” during a botched negotiation meeting intended to de-escalate conflict between armed factions. His death sparked fierce fighting in Tripoli between forces loyal to the Government of National Unity (GNU) and the Stabilisation Support Apparatus (SSA), resulting in at least eight civilian casualties.

Despite a ceasefire declared on May 14, sporadic violence continues to plague the capital. Public frustration is growing over the government’s failure to rein in militias, combat corruption, and deliver long-promised national elections that have been repeatedly postponed since 2021.

In Tripoli’s iconic Martyrs’ Square, demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans, accusing Dbeibah of entrenching chaos and delaying democratic reforms. One protest turned deadly when clashes erupted between demonstrators and security forces, leading to the death of a police officer.

In a defiant televised address, Prime Minister Dbeibah blamed “paid agitators” for fueling unrest but reaffirmed his commitment to dismantling militia networks and fighting graft. “We will not spare anyone who engages in corruption or extortion,” he said.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has called for calm, urging all parties to prioritize civilian safety and uphold the fragile ceasefire.

Libya remains fragmented more than a decade after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, with rival administrations and entrenched militias vying for control. While the current violence has not disrupted oil production, fears are mounting that renewed instability could unravel fragile political progress.

iNewsAfrica will continue to monitor developments from Tripoli and provide updates on the evolving situation.