Libya Protests: Who’s Really to Blame for the Anger?

Last week, Tripoli saw its largest protest in years. Hundreds of Libyans gathered outside a U. N. building, angry at migrants moving through the country. Some blamed newcomers for making life harder in a place already struggling after 15 years of chaos. But the real issue behind the anger might not be the migrants at all. Officials from the U. N. say online lies are making things worse. They claim false stories about their work are spreading fast on social media. The problem isn’t just that people are upset—it’s that the wrong people are getting blamed. The U. N. isn’t relocating migrants from Libya, yet some protests seem fueled by that idea. This creates a dangerous cycle: rumors lead to protests, which then get twisted into more rumors.The economy isn’t helping either. Libya’s oil-rich past is fading, and many young Libyans struggle to find jobs. Meanwhile, migrants take tough, low-paying work locals avoid. It’s easy to see why some would feel frustrated—but taking that anger out on the wrong group makes it worse. Throw in years of political fights, and it’s no surprise frustration turns violent. Social media isn’t the root cause, but it does spread hate fast. The U. N. admits stopping false posts is tough, especially with no help from tech companies. Until something changes, protests like this will keep happening, all based on lies. The real question is: who benefits when people fight each other instead of the real problems?