Anti-Dabaiba protests continue in several cities

Jan 7, 2025 | Libyan actors

On 7 January in the evening, there was a second night of protests in Tripoli, Misrata, Zawiyya, Bani Walid, Sabratha, Zintan and other cities against PM Abdul Hameed Dabaiba and his alleged role in the meeting of the that-time Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Najla al-Mangoush with Israel’s MFA in Rome in August 2023. The protesters also demanded that the Attorney General reveal the results of his investigations into the circumstances of the suspension of al-Mangoush.

In Ghariyan, a main road was blocked with burning tires. The Stability Support Apparatus (SSA) deployed troops with some armoured vehicles to some key points of Tripoli, including al-Sikka Road, where the PM Office is located. The Special Deterrence Force (Rada) deployed troops to secure Dabaiba’s house in Hay Andalus. Several Tripolitanian tribes issued statements condemning al Mangoush’s meeting and the role of Dabaiba in it. In most cities only a few dozen people par ticipated in the protests, in Tripoli and Misrata a few hundred. None of the protests escalated.

In the evening, Government of National Unity (GNU) Security Advisor Ibrahim al-Dabaiba discussed the security situation in Tripoli at his home in Hay Andalus with Minister of Interior Emad Trabelsi, Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs in the GNU Walid al-Lafi, Head of the Internal Security Agency (ISA) Lutfi al-Harari, and Head of the Facilities and Installations Security Service Osama Talish.

Later in the evening, the Misrata al-Majhoub Brigade, one of the major Misrata forces, deployed about 60 vehicles to the capital to reinforce the security forces there in the face of the street protests.

On 8 January, High State Council (HSC) head Khaled al-Mishri called on the Attorney General to take urgent legal action against Dabaiba and suspend MFA al-Mangoush. Presidential Council (PC) head Muhammed al-Mishri and House of Representatives (HoR) members have also condemned al-Mangoush and Dabaiba.

On 10 January in the evening, less than 100 protesters blocked the al-Bivio junction in Tajoura. The protest was dispersed by security forces without violence.

In a statement at a smaller demonstration, the ‘People of Misrata’ reiterated their rejection of Prime Minister Dabaiba’s efforts to normalize relations with Israel and called on him to resign from his position. The meetings that took place between his government and Israeli officials are considered a great crime and an unforgivable betrayal. Subsequently, three activists were arrested by the Misrata Joint Operations Force, but released the next morning.

Dabaiba described the demonstrations as a ‘programmed order’ by organizations and parties seeking to govern. He claimed local forces are exploiting young people with money and drugs to create chaos and instability.