Protests in Libya Result in Arson Attack on Derna Mayor's Residence during Flooding

Hundreds of protesters in the Libyan city of Derna set fire to the mayor's home, demanding accountability for a catastrophic flood that occurred last week. The protesters gathered at the Sahaba Mosque, expressing their anger towards top officials in the eastern government of Libya and calling for their dismissal. The flood resulted from two old and deteriorating dams bursting, causing the city to be flooded. The official count of missing individuals exceeds 10,000, and the death toll has surpassed 4,000. The mayor's residence has become a symbol of people's frustration, as residents claim they were not adequately warned about the impending heavy rainfall, suggesting that officials were aware of the situation. While officials deny these allegations, residents argue that they were instructed to stay at home rather than evacuate. Libya has faced ongoing power struggles since the overthrow of former leader Muammar Gaddafi, resulting in the existence of two rival governments, one recognized by the United Nations and the other backed by warlord Gen Khalifa Haftar. Although Haftar refers to the flooding as a natural disaster, many analysts believe that the eastern government failed to maintain the dams despite prior warnings about their deteriorating condition. The demonstrators seek additional aid beyond what is currently being provided by the country and foreign assistance. Moreover, they demand the establishment of facilities to process lost passports and identity documents, as vital possessions were washed away by the flood.