Khalifa Hifter, who oversees a military dictatorship that rules the eastern half of the divided, oil-rich nation, is dominating the response to the disaster and could use it to further entrench his power.
Libya’s political chaos has left little room for the reconciliation that many residents see as necessary for peace. Few places feel that more than Tarhuna, where a murderous band of brothers reigned for years.
After more than a decade of chaos and war, fed-up Libyans are clamoring for peace — and making clear they’ve had enough violence: “We want to taste life, not death.”