**Ministers Resign Amid Major Protests in Libya as Tensions Escalate**

Several ministers from Libya's internationally recognised government have stepped down, aligning themselves with protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. The unrest reached a dangerous peak late on Friday when a police officer was fatally shot outside the prime minister's office during what was described as an “attempted assault”.

The government disclosed that the officer was shot by unidentified assailants and succumbed to his injuries. This act of violence occurred as parts of the protest crowd reportedly tried to set the office ablaze with Molotov cocktails.

Among those resigning were Economy and Trade Minister Mohamed al-Hawij, Local Government Minister Badr Eddin al-Tumi, and Minister of Housing Abu Bakr al-Ghawi. This announcement came through a video released by two ministers alongside local media reports, despite the government's earlier denial of any resignations.

In a parallel development, residents of Misrata rallied to show support for Dbeibah and his administration. These upheavals follow a series of violent clashes in Tripoli over the past week, resulting in the deaths of at least eight civilians. The turmoil was sparked by the killing of powerful militia leader Abdelghani al-Kikli, also known as Gheniwa, in an ambush at a military base.

Prime Minister Dbeibah has since attempted to tighten his grip on power following al-Kikli's death, which led to further confrontations. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has underscored the importance of peaceful protests and warned against any escalation in violence.

Reporting from Tripoli, Al Jazeera's Malik Traina has highlighted Libyans' profound dissatisfaction with the current security situation. Citizens are demanding elections and a chance to have a real say in their governance.

Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been closely monitoring the situation, advising all parties to exercise maximum restraint. Egyptian nationals in Libya have been urged to stay indoors until the turbulent situation is resolved.

Libya has been embroiled in conflict since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising, leading to a longstanding division between two rival administrations. The Government of National Unity (GNU), led by Dbeibah, controls western Libya, while a faction backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar dominates the east. Plans for national elections in late 2021 were postponed due to disputes over candidate qualifications, constitutional rules, and security concerns, leaving Libya stuck in a state of uncertainty.