Libya: Demonstrators gather in Misrata on August 29

Event

Protests in support of suspended Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha were reported in central Misrata in the early hours of Saturday, August 29. There were no immediate reports of clashes in the protests.

Separately, unconfirmed sources report that planned protests in support of Fathi Bashagha are set to take place in the Dahra area of Tripoli on Saturday evening, although no timings have been released.

Further protests are likely in the coming days, and a heightened security presence with associated localized disruptions should be anticipated.

Context

Bashagha is to be suspended due to his failure to provide security for protesters, his public comments following the protests, and alleged violations committed against protesters. He is to appear before an administrative investigation presided over by the Presidency Council within 72 hours. The role of interior minister will be assumed by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of the Interior, Brigadier General Khaled Ahmed al-Tijani Mazen. Reportedly Bashagha has agreed to this, so long as the investigation is televised.

Advice

Those in Libya are advised to monitor developments, avoid all protests as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.