Clashes that broke out after a football match in western Libya have left several people injured, while a government building was also set on fire in the capital, Tripoli, authorities said on Friday.
The violence began in the town of Tarhuna, about 80 kilometres south of Tripoli, following a match between Tripoli’s Al-Ittihad SCSC and Misrata’s Asswehly SC on Thursday.
The match, played behind closed doors, was suspended shortly before full time after Al-Ittihad players protested a penalty decision they believed they were entitled to, according to Libyan news agency LANA.
The disagreement reportedly escalated into clashes between supporters and security forces outside the stadium.
In a related development, the Libyan Presidential Council said unidentified individuals targeted the Council of Ministers’ headquarters in Tripoli, carrying out acts of sabotage and arson. The fire was later brought under control, LANA reported.
The council has called for an investigation into the incident, urging citizens to channel grievances through legal means rather than resorting to violence.