Key facts
- Protests in Libya escalated on Tuesday, targeting the Mellitah Oil and Gas complex.
- Demonstrators are threatening to halt gas and fuel supplies, impacting both domestic and international markets.
- The protests are a response to power cuts and high electricity bills.
- A key objective is to stop natural gas exports to Italy.
- The demonstrations aim to pressure the Government of National Unity led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.
Anti-government protests in Libya, initially focused on power cuts and high electricity bills, escalated on Tuesday with demonstrators entering the Mellitah Oil and Gas complex. Protesters are reportedly attempting to halt natural gas exports to Italy via pipeline, aiming to exert economic pressure on the Government of National Unity and force its resignation. The capital, Tripoli, has been a focal point for these demonstrations.
Sources among the protesters told Middle East Online that the goal is to halt gas exports to Italy to pressure the government. As of Tuesday morning local time, it was uncertain whether the protesters had succeeded in stopping any oil or gas supply.