In a tragic turn of events that highlights the ongoing instability in Libya, a police officer was killed during a violent protest in the capital, Tripoli, which erupted following the assassination of a prominent militia commander. This incident has sparked a wave of resignations among ministers within Libya's internationally recognized government, intensifying the call for Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah to step down.

Late on Friday evening, the government reported that the officer died as a result of an “attempted assault” on the prime minister’s office. Thousands of Libyans had taken to the streets, marching through squares in Tripoli, expressing their frustrations against the existing government. According to an official statement, the officer was shot by unidentified assailants while defending the office, succumbing to his injuries shortly thereafter. The chaos escalated when some individuals within the protest crowd attempted to set the prime minister’s office ablaze using Molotov cocktails.

In light of these troubling events, several key ministers, including Economy and Trade Minister Mohamed al-Hawij, Local Government Minister Badr Eddin al-Tumi, and Housing Minister Abu Bakr al-Ghawi, announced their resignations. They made this declaration through a video posted online, corroborated by various local media reports. This move reflects a significant shift in the government’s internal dynamics, particularly as earlier on the same day, officials had denied any resignations.

Contrastingly, in the city of Misrata, there were also gatherings of protesters rallying in support of Dbeibah and his administration, which underscores the divided sentiments among the population regarding the current government. These protests have emerged in the wake of a recent surge in violence in Tripoli, where at least eight civilians have lost their lives due to clashes that erupted after the killing of powerful militia leader Abdelghani al-Kikli, known by his nickname Gheniwa. He was ambushed at a military base, triggering further unrest.

In response to these tensions, Prime Minister Dbeibah has sought to consolidate his power and control over the situation; however, this has only led to additional skirmishes and violence in the capital. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has emphasized the importance of citizens’ rights to peaceful protest while simultaneously urging all parties involved to refrain from escalating violence.

Al Jazeera’s correspondent Malik Traina, reporting live from Tripoli, conveyed the deep-seated frustrations among the Libyan populace, who are demanding significant change. “Libyans are calling for elections and want to be able to voice their opinion and put those that they want in power,” Traina noted, shedding light on the people's yearning for a democratic process.

In a statement released on Saturday, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its concern over the unfolding developments in Libya. The ministry urged all involved parties to exercise the utmost restraint during this turbulent time. Furthermore, it advised Egyptian citizens residing in Libya to remain vigilant and to stay indoors until clarity on the situation is achieved.

Libya has faced continuous turmoil since a NATO-backed uprising in 2011, which resulted in the division of the country between two rival administrations. Dbeibah’s Government of National Unity (GNU) has maintained its grip over western Libya since 2021, while an opposing administration, led by renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar, governs in the east. National elections, which were initially scheduled for late 2021, have been postponed indefinitely. This delay is attributed to ongoing disputes over candidate eligibility, constitutional regulations, and escalating security concerns, with rival governments failing to reach a consensus on an electoral framework.