Unidentified persons in Libya shelled PM's residence with grenade launchers

Unidentified persons in Libya shelled PM's residence with grenade launchers (National Police)

Yesterday, on March 31, unidentified assailants launched grenade attacks on the residence of Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah. Fortunately, there were no casualties, according to Reuters.

According to a minister speaking on condition of anonymity, the attack on the residence caused only minor damage, although no further details were disclosed.

Eyewitnesses claim to have heard explosions near the sea in the Tripoli's luxury Hay Andalus neighbourhood, where the Prime Minister's residence is located. Another eyewitness reported the deployment of heavy security forces with vehicles after the explosions.

As explained by Reuters, since the uprising in 2011, the country has seen little peace and stability. In 2014, Libya split into eastern and western factions, each governed by separate administrations.

"Dbeibah's Government of National Unity was installed through a UN-backed process in 2021 but the parliament, in the east, stopped recognising its legitimacy at the end of that year after a failed attempt to hold national elections, which led to prolonged political deadlock," Reuters adds.

In early March, key leaders of Libya declared the need to form a new unified government to oversee the long-delayed elections. Dbeibah, for his part, promised not to relinquish power without holding national elections.