On 22 May, the ‘Sons of Souq al-Jumaa Movement’ announced plans for mass demonstrations on Friday 23 May to demand the overthrow of the Dabaiba government, defying alleged threats of a curfew. They accused the government of corruption and the Interior Minister Emad Trabelsi of handing over the capital’s security to a ‘public looting militia’ led by his brother. The movement declared its determination to proceed with the protests, regardless of potential curfews or risks, amidst growing political and security tensions in Tripoli and increasing calls for accountability regarding deteriorating living conditions.
On 22 May, Grand Mufti al-Sadiq al-Ghariyani called for widespread public demonstrations demanding the complete dissolution of all transitional governmental bodies established since the 2011 revolution, rather than just seeking elections or leadership changes.
On 23 May, the Military Police announced their deployment in Tripoli as part of the conflict resolution committee, ahead of the Friday demonstrations. They stated their mission is to professionally and impartially uphold discipline and enforce the law. Their vehicles are positioned at checkpoints to ensure smooth procedures, serving public interest and security.
The Ministry of Interior announced the deployment of the General Security Apparatus and the Law Enforcement Administration in Tripoli on 23 May to maintain security and protect property. It said the General Security Apparatus established positions at key points to maintain public order and safety, while the Law Enforcement Administration participated in the joint security plan with intensified patrols and police deployment, as part of the Ministry’s strategy for readiness and rapid response to security challenges.
The Baltris Youth Movement called for a comprehensive civil disobedience across Libya, which shall persist until all demands are met, primarily the dissolution of all existing political bodies, the prompt organization of popular presidential and parliamentary elections, and the withdrawal of all armed formations from Tripoli and other Libyan cities. The Movement stressed that the popular movement must remain strictly civilian, peaceful, and genuinely nationalistic, rejecting any attempts to exploit it for other agendas.
In the afternoon, the Gathering of Victims of the Gharghour Massacre announced its participation in the demonstrations. They called on everyone to protest the Dabaiba government. The group accused the government of bringing back the 2013 era to Tripoli. They hold the prime minister fully responsible for recreating an atmosphere of terrorism by allowing the same militias to return to the capital.
In the evening at least 15,000 people from Tripoli, Zawiyya and other cities gathered in Martyrs’ Square in central Tripoli, demonstrating their growing anger at the prolonged political deadlock in the country. Protesters called for the removal of all existing political bodies, notably the Government of National Unity (GNU) led by PM Abdul Hameed Dabaiba, the Government of National Stability (GNS) led by Osama Hammad, and both the House of Representatives (HoR) and the (HSC). They accused these entities of failing to manage the transitional phase and deepening political and institutional divisions.
Protesters urged the Presidential Council (PC) to assume its national responsibilities and immediately move towards forming a small, caretaker government. This government would manage the country’s affairs for a maximum of 90 days and be tasked with preparing for comprehensive presidential and parliamentary elections to unify state institutions and conclude the transitional period that has lasted for over a decade. At the end of the demonstration, the ‘Libyan Youth Movement’ gave the government 24 hours to step down from power.
On the same day, a couple of hundred demonstrators protested against the Dabaiba government in front of the HQ of UNSMIL. Some of them demanded the departure of UNSMIL from Libya.
There were street protests against the GNU in Zawiyya, but less than 100 people participated.
On 24 May in the evening, a pro-Dabaiba demonstration at Martyr’s Square was attended by less than 1,000 people. There were rumours that the PM paid people 500 LYD for participating in the gathering, with videos circulating purporting to show protestors with their newly-paid cash.
After midnight, a number of roads in Tripoli were temporarily closed by the protestors with burning tires.
On 25 May in the evening, a few dozen demonstrators protested against the GNU in front of the PC HQ in Noufleen