Libya's Tripoli authorities mandate 24-hour curfew to stem protests

A round-the-clock lockdown underway in Libya follows days of anti-government protests in the capital city.
Libyans chant slogans during a demonstration due to poor public services at the Martyrs' Square at the centre of the GNA-held Libyan capital Tripoli on August 25, 2020. - Angered by chronic water, power, and petrol shortages in a country with Africa's largest proven crude oil reserves, the mostly young people had marched through the city centre chanting slogans including "No to corruption!" (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)
Libyans chant slogans at Martyrs Square in the center of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, during a demonstration protesting poor public services, on Aug. 25, 2020. - AFP via Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Staff

Libya’s internationally recognized government has imposed a round-the-clock curfew to slow the spread of COVID-19 after ongoing anti-government protests turned violent over the weekend.

Protesters on Sunday took to the streets of Misrata, al-Zawiya and the capital, Tripoli, to denounce government corruption, shortages of water and electricity and deteriorating living conditions. The curfew in Tripoli and its suburbs, which took effect Wednesday night, was announced by the UN-backed Government of National Accord and is set to continue until Monday morning. 

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