Sports protests turn into a popular trial of Dbeibah’s government
Football supporters set fire to part of the Prime Minister’s Office building of Libya’s Government of National Unity in central Tripoli, following riots that broke out during a domestic league match.
Football fans set fire, late Thursday night, to part of the headquarters of Libya’s Government of National Unity in central Tripoli, following violent clashes during a domestic league match. The events highlight the scale of public anger toward the government, even though the initial cause of the protests was sporting.
The incidents in Tripoli are seen as reflecting growing public frustration with the Government of National Unity, amid increasing criticism over deteriorating economic conditions, the mishandling of sensitive social and security issues, as well as repeated accusations of the government’s inability to curb the influence of militias and armed groups in the capital and other regions.
Observers also believe that the transformation of sports-related protests into violent acts targeting the government headquarters reflects a widening trust gap between the public and the executive authority, particularly amid rising public frustration over ongoing daily crises, the lack of clear economic and social solutions, and the continued influence of powerful actors within state institutions.
Libyan media platforms on social networks, including “Fawasel”, reported that riots erupted after the suspension of a match between Al-Ittihad and Al-Suwaihli, when several fans clashed with security forces assigned to protect the game, before the unrest escalated to include the burning of vehicles belonging to security units.
The protesters then reportedly headed to the Government headquarters in Tripoli, where they gathered outside the building and fired fireworks toward the guards securing it.
Videos shared by activists on social media show protesters inside the courtyard of the government building, while flames engulf parts of it.
Social media activists said that fireworks were fired at the government headquarters following accusations that Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibah’s family favored one league team over another.
For its part, the official Libyan news agency “LANA” reported that Tripoli witnessed riots and fires on Thursday night following the match between Al-Ittihad and Al-Suwaihli.
It explained that the match was held at the stadium in the city of Tarhouna, south of Tripoli, as part of the third round of the final championship stage of the national football league.
The match was stopped in the 88th minute after Al-Ittihad players demanded a penalty kick, before the situation escalated into riots, despite the game being played behind closed doors, according to LANA.
The first half ended in a goalless draw, while Al-Suwaihli opened the scoring in the second half in the 52nd minute after a penalty awarded by the referee was converted by Tunisian player Ayyoub Ayad past goalkeeper Mohamed Ayad.
