In the latest fighting in Tripoli, 32 people were killed, including Mustafa Baraka, a comedian.
In the aftermath of fighting over the weekend in Libya’s capital Tripoli, the story of one of the victims, Mustafa Baraka, has caught the attention of Libyans.
Baraka was a well-known Libyan comedian who had appeared on television and was popular on social media, where he mocked Libya’s politicians and militias for being corrupt and constantly fighting.
Baraka went live on Instagram after the battles erupted in his Tripoli neighborhood on Saturday.
“One last picture before I die,” Baraka told his followers.
Baraka was later killed by a stray shot in the chest.
According to the Libyan health ministry, 32 people were killed and 159 were injured in the violence.
Militias supporting the UN-recognised government based at Tripoli and the forces loyal To the rival Prime Minister Fathi Baschagha were engaged in gun fighting threatening civilian population. Health officials called for a truce in order to evacuate people and provide safe passage to the injured.
Tensions have simmered since Bashagha was appointed prime minister in February by the eastern parliament based in Tobruk, with Prime Minister Abdul Hamid al-Dabaiba, the head of the UN-recognised Government of National Unity (GNU), refusing to cede power.
After the worst fighting in two decades, the GNU claims it has taken control.
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