Tobruk (Libya): Protesters stormed Libya’s parliament in Tobruk, express their anger at deteriorating living conditions and months of political deadlock. Images showed thick columns of black smoke coming from its perimeter as angry young protesters burned tyres. The parliament building was empty as Friday is observed as weekend in Libya.
"We want the lights to work," protesters chanted. Two governments have been vying for power for months: one based in Tripoli, led by Abdulhamid Dbeibah, interim Prime Minister and another headed by former interior minister Fathi Bashagha, appointed by the parliament and supported by eastern-based strongman Khalifa Haftar.
Images shows, protesters driving a bulldozer had managed to smash through part of gate, which allowed other demonstrators to enter the parliament building easily. Other protesters, some brandishing the green flags of the Gaddafi regime, threw office documents into the air.
Balkheir Alshaab, Lawmaker said “we must recognise our failure and immediately withdraw from the political scene”. Libya's National Oil Corporation said that a blockade at oil installations in the central coastal region of Sirte meant it may declare force majeur, a measure freeing it of contractual obligations due to circumstances beyond its control. A blockade of two major oil export terminals and several oilfields began in April. A drop in gas production contributed to chronic power cuts, which can last around 12 hours a day.
The United Nations said that talks between the rival Libyan institutions aimed at breaking the deadlock had failed to resolve key differences.
