Hundreds of young Libyans have protested in Tripoli for the third day in complaint of their worsening living conditions and corrupt practices of political heads amid a heavy security presence.

In protest against the extended shortages of power, water and fuel in the oil-rich North African country, the demonstrators, this included teenagers and children, marched through the capital again yesterday and meet at the Martyrs’ Square with some of the protesters carried signs bearing slogans such as “the corrupt must be put on trial.”

 The demonstration took place even after Fayez al-Sarraj, head of the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), sought to appease protesters on Monday by deciding that he would conduct a cabinet reshuffle.

During a speech broadcast on television, Sarraj showed his backing for Libyans’ “legitimate right” to protest as he said he was ready to fight graft as stated:

“New ministers will be chosen based on their competence, abilities and integrity.”

Sarraj also pledged to take “exceptional measures” to carry out the reshuffle if it were opposed as he said that the government acknowledged its share of responsibility as pertaining to the deteriorating situation, noting that the crisis has been on for years.

 Interior ministry security personnel were heavily deployed at Tuesday’s protest after men in military uniform fired into the air to disperse demonstrators on Sunday, thus, leading the UN mission in Libya to urge the government to investigate.

However, Interior Minister, Fathi Bashagha had called those responsible for Sunday’s violence “outlaws who infiltrated the security forces”.

Note that Libya has suffered almost a decade of violent chaos since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that overthrew and killed veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi. The war-weary country is plagued by water shortages and power blackouts. The situation has been heightened by the novel coronavirus pandemic, which has decreased global oil prices and spread in the country despite social distancing measures.

The protests had begun days after the country’s warring rival administrations separately informed the people that they would cease all hostilities and hold nationwide elections.