Angry fans of a football club in Tripoli set fire to the facade and garden of the headquarters of Libya's Government of National Unity (GNU) on Thursday, according to two eyewitnesses and a local TV channel. The protest erupted after a controversial referee decision during a match between Tripoli's Al-Ittihad and Misrata's Swehly club.
Match Controversy Sparks Violence
The match, played in Tarhouna's city stadium about 65 km southeast of Tripoli, was stopped in the 87th minute after Al-Ittihad protested a denied penalty kick. Fans stormed the pitch, causing a riot that damaged property and injured stadium guards. Social media images showed guards with wounds on their heads, legs, and hands being rushed to a hospital in Tarhouna.
Protest Escalates in Tripoli
In Tripoli, Al-Ittihad fans who had watched the match at the club's complex marched toward the GNU building and set off fireworks, causing the building's facade to catch fire. Thick smoke rose into the sky, and cars in the area tried to leave as the situation became chaotic. Video footage showed flames engulfing the glass facade and black smoke billowing.
GNU forces deployed around the building, and firefighters brought the fire under control by midnight. There was no immediate response from the GNU to a Reuters request for comment.
Club Statements and Background
Al-Ittihad demanded a comprehensive review of all refereeing decisions during the match. Swehly stated that its team was heading back to Misrata "crowned with victory." The GNU, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, came to power in 2021 through a UN-brokered process. Libya has experienced little stability since the 2011 uprising that ousted Muammar Qaddafi.
