Former Libyan presidential candidate Suleiman Al-Bayoudi has said that the Government of National Unity (GNU), led by Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, has lost its popular momentum in western Libya, arguing that growing public anger signals that the government’s political future is nearing its end.
In remarks posted on Facebook, Al-Bayoudi said recent public reactions reflect what he described as widespread popular rejection of the Dbaiba-led government. He pointed to mounting expressions of anger on social media, as well as protests on the ground, including demonstrations by Al-Ahly Tripoli football fans and rallies in Misrata, a city long considered a key support base for the GNU.
According to Al-Bayoudi, the protests indicate that Dbaiba no longer enjoys any genuine popular backing in western Libya. He said the scale and intensity of public discontent demonstrate a clear shift in public mood, even in areas previously seen as politically aligned with the government.
The former presidential contender also argued that international actors would not continue to support what he described as a “losing game” amid escalating public anger. He suggested that growing instability and popular frustration would eventually force external stakeholders to reassess their political calculations regarding the GNU.
Al-Bayoudi further stated that Tripoli has witnessed many political figures rise and fall over the years, warning that attempts to “distort history” would not endure. He concluded by predicting that Libya’s political trajectory would “soon return to its proper course,” without elaborating on what form that outcome might take.
The comments come at a time of heightened political tension in western Libya, as debates over legitimacy, governance, and the future of the transitional authorities continue amid delays in holding long-awaited national elections.
