Protests Erupt in Eastern Libya, Saleh Calls for Containment

Protesters angry over the area’s crippling electricity shortages, set fire to tires on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 in Benghazi, Libya. AP
Protesters angry over the area’s crippling electricity shortages, set fire to tires on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 in Benghazi, Libya. AP
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Protests Erupt in Eastern Libya, Saleh Calls for Containment

Protesters angry over the area’s crippling electricity shortages, set fire to tires on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 in Benghazi, Libya. AP
Protesters angry over the area’s crippling electricity shortages, set fire to tires on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 in Benghazi, Libya. AP

Cities like Benghazi and El Beida in eastern Libya were rocked with angry protests from Thursday through Friday over power cuts and poor living conditions.

Demonstrators called for the interim government headed by Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani to step down.

Eastern-based House of Representatives Speaker Aguila Saleh demanded that authorities in east Libya convene immediately to overcome the crisis.

Saleh called on al-Thani, the Governor of the Central Bank in Benghazi, Ali Al-Hibri, the Director of the Brega Company, and the heads of the Parliament's committees for an urgent meeting to meet the demands of the protesters in Benghazi.

Hundreds of young Libyans first flooded the streets of Benghazi and other eastern cities late Thursday, setting piles of tires ablaze.

Late Friday, dozens of men were seen returning to the streets, blocking traffic at major intersections.

Many demonstrators lit fires in the roads, chanting lyrics from popular anthems decrying government corruption.

Demonstrators denounced administrative and financial corruption in state institutions, lack of liquidity in banks and the devaluation of the currency in the black market.

“Living conditions in our regions have become unbearable, in light of the dollar soaring in the parallel black market, increased unemployment, and the absence of government services,” said Ali Emsaaed, a Benghazi resident.

“We hold al-Thani’s government, which failed to provide services to the people, responsible for the dreadful living conditions in Benghazi,” Emsaaed told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The Ministry of Interior withdrew all its forces to the outskirts of Benghazi, to avoid any skirmishes between security personnel and protesters.

Political and rights activist Jamal al-Falah, who is also a Benghazi resident, stressed that according to the constitution, peaceful protesting is an unalienable right to all Libyans.

Al-Falah also emphasized the need for people to keep the demonstrations peaceful.



Hamas: Israel's Claim on Hostages' Handover Ceremony is Pretext to Evade Obligations

Fighters from Hamas' Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades escort Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov before handing him over to the Red Cross in Al Nusairat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, 22 February, 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED SABER
Fighters from Hamas' Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades escort Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov before handing him over to the Red Cross in Al Nusairat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, 22 February, 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED SABER
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Hamas: Israel's Claim on Hostages' Handover Ceremony is Pretext to Evade Obligations

Fighters from Hamas' Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades escort Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov before handing him over to the Red Cross in Al Nusairat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, 22 February, 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED SABER
Fighters from Hamas' Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades escort Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov before handing him over to the Red Cross in Al Nusairat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, 22 February, 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED SABER

Hamas on Sunday condemned Israel's decision to postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, saying its claim that the hostages' handover ceremonies are "humiliating" was false and a pretext to evade Israel's obligations under the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Netanyahu's decision reflects a deliberate attempt to disrupt the agreement, represents a clear violation of its terms, and shows the occupation's lack of reliability in implementing its obligations," Ezzat El Rashq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said in a statement.

Israel said earlier it was delaying the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners it had planned to free the day before until Hamas met its conditions, underscoring the fragility of the Gaza ceasefire accord.

Netanyahu's office released a statement in the early hours of Sunday saying that Israel was waiting to deliver the 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees "until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies."

According to Reuters, Hamas' El Rashq said the ceremonies do not include any insult to the hostages, "but rather reflect the humane and dignified treatment of them,” adding that the "real insult" is what the Palestinian prisoners are subjected to during the release process.

The Palestinian militant group official cited the hands' tying of the Palestinian prisoners and detainees and their blindfolding and threatening them not to hold any celebrations for their release as examples of their humiliation at the hands of Israeli authorities.

Hamas has made hostages appear on stage in front of crowds and sometimes speak before they were handed over. Coffins with hostage remains have also been carried through crowds.

Israel's announcement, which also accused Hamas of repeatedly violating the month-old ceasefire, came after the Palestinian militant group on Saturday handed over six hostages from Gaza as part of an exchange arranged under the truce.