Libya demonstrations turn flood aftermath into political storm

FILE PHOTO: A general view shows destroyed buildings and houses in the aftermath of a deadly storm and flooding, in Derna, Libya September 18, 2023. REUTERS/Ayman Al-Sahili

(Reuters) - The aftermath of Libya's worst ever natural disaster was evolving into a political storm on Tuesday, after demonstrators furious at the failure to protect their city from a flood torched the home of the mayor of Derna.

The administration in charge of eastern Libya said it had suspended the mayor and fired the entire city council, after angry demonstrators demanded punishment for officials who left residents in harm's way.