Angry demonstrators in Derna yesterday called for the Mayor of Derna to be held accountable and for Ageela Saleh, the Speaker of parliament (the House of Representatives – HoR), and the HoR itself to be dismissed.
The demonstrators chanted numerous chants in front of the Al-Sahaba Mosque in the city centre, some of which could be considered incitive. The mosque miraculously survived the floods and its minarets have become a symbol of hope for the city.
Unity and thanks
The demonstrators’ calls included emphasizing the unity of Libya and expressing their thanks to everyone who supported the city in its ordeal from all Libyan cities. They also expressed gratitude to countries that participated in the rescue operations, recovering victims, and providing relief and medicine to those affected.
However, the most prominent demands of the demonstrators can be summarised as follows:
- Expediting the results of the Attorney General’s investigation into the disaster.
- Taking legal and judicial measures against negligent person/s and thieves – without covering up any criminals / activity.
- The need for the actual start of reconstruction of Derna and compensation for those affected.
- Holding an international conference on the reconstruction of Derna.
- That the United Nations and the European Union monitor the reconstruction of the city of Derna.
- Assigning international companies for reconstruction.
- Identifying any fund or allocations for reconstruction in the name of Derna, without merging it or linking it to other funds (for example the Benghazi Fund).
- Defining the administrative borders of Derna as it was, from the Al-Fattayah in the east to Karsa in the west.
- Holding the Derna Municipal Council accountable, and assigning a council of qualified and honest people from Derna.
- Holding the Derna Stability Committee accountable, and investigating all previous budgets allocated to Derna.
