Large-scale protests against PM Abdul Hameed Dabaiba took place for the third consecutive Friday in Tripoli, and while there were calls for pro-Dabaiba protests from the Mufti and Misrata, these did not occur on any large scale.
On 27 May, the Movement of the People of Souq al-Jumaa officially announced a demonstration on Friday 30 May and called for mass participation. Under the banner of ‘Enough silence on humiliation and looting,’ they asserted their fearlessness and determination to ‘turn the table’ on what they described as ‘a corrupt government of ruin and blatant theft’.
On 28 May in the evening, in the wake of a security incident at the National Oil Corporation HQ in Tripoli, several decentralised demonstrations and road blockades took place in Tripoli. Main roads blocked with burning tires included Omar al-Mukthar Road, al-Farnaj Island (next to Tripoli University), 16 Road in Souq al-Jumaa, streets in Zanata, Ain Zara, Janzour, and Fashloum. Several roads leading to the PM’s Office were also temporarily closed. There was also a protest in al-Dahmani in front of the Libya National TV HQ. In Zawiyya, the al-Samoud Gate and roads in western Zawiyya were blocked by a couple of dozen protesters who demanded the overthrow of the Dabaiba government.
On 29 May, Grand Mufti al-Sadiq al-Ghariyani stated that demonstrating to topple the Dabaiba government is religiously forbidden (‘haram’) and legally impermissible. He advised the people of Souq al-Jumaa and others to safeguard their children and to prevent them from participating in what he described as rioting and chaos. Al-Ghariyani acknowledged criticizing the government’s corruption but deemed protesting against Dabaiba as ignorant and misguided, considering his government the ‘least harmful party.’ He warned that the government’s collapse could create a dangerous power vacuum, potentially leading to the rise of Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar and House of Representatives (HoR) Speaker Aqeela Saleh, whom he considers more dangerous.
The Misrata Revolutionaries Brigades warned Tripoli protesters against violence and sabotage, stating authorities are monitoring property attacks. They expressed concern that vandalism and arson by some youths harm the city and undermine security, providing excuses to destabilize Tripoli. The Brigades warned that those engaging in sabotage, attacking institutions, or blocking roads will face severe penalties. They urged Tripoli residents to educate their children against such destructive behavior, emphasizing that nation-building requires peaceful and legal demands, not destruction.
On the other side, during a meeting in Zawiyya, notables and sheikhs from Libya’s Western Region and the Nafousa Mountains called on the Libyan people to participate in widespread demonstrations demanding the removal of all current political bodies and the restoration of national sovereignty and the country’s wealth.
On 30 May in the evening, large-scale protests demanding the resignation of Dabaiba and his Government of National Unity (GNU) took place in Tripoli. Thousands of demonstrators, including from the Souq al Jumaa and Zawiyya movements as well as from other areas of Tripoli and from various western region cities, gathered in Martyrs’ Square, chanting slogans and waving red cards. They accused Dabaiba of failing to address security, corruption, and electoral delays.
There is some reporting about armed forces loyal to Dabaiba attempting to suppress actions of individual protesters, including preventing them from displaying anti-Dabaiba slogans at the Red Palace.
The Souq al-Jumaa movement declared civil disobedience until Dabaiba’s government is removed and a transparent government committed to immediate elections is established based on popular support. Key demands of the movement include holding corrupt officials accountable, protecting human rights and protesters, and restoring independence to looted state institutions. The movement asserted its independence and denounced Dabaiba’s government as corrupt and divisive. It held UNSMIL responsible for protester safety, and called for international pressure to force Dabaiba to step down peacefully. Finally, the movement vowed to continue their peaceful struggle.
In response, the ‘Dabaiba Government Support Foundation’ in Misrata issued a statement rejecting several entities, including the LNA, the HoR, the Tripoli militias, as well as actions such as any perceived provocation of Misrata or a change in government. The statement explicitly supports the current government and includes insults directed at former Minister of Interior and Government of National Stability (GNS) PM Fathi Bashaagha and other individuals considered potential successors to Dabaiba.
There were also some calls from supporters of the Grand Mufti and of PM Dabaiba to demonstrate on 31 May in support of the Dabaiba government and to demand the dissolution of the Special Deterrence Forces (Rada).