Gloom but also hope for Libya 5 years after revolt

Five years after the uprising began against former Libya’s ruler Muammar Gaddafi, many Libyans have lost hope of seeing the rule of law return to a divided country threatened by jihadist expansion.

The Islamic State (IS) militants have exploited the chaos engulfing the oil-rich north African nation since the 2011 revolution to expand its influence.

With a port and airport, there are growing fears that IS may try to use Sirte in the southern coast of Libya as a base from which to attack Europe.

The north African country also sits atop the largest oil reserves in Africa, estimated at 48 billion barrels, although output has slumped since 2011.

As Libya on Wednesday marks five years since the uprising began, its people are still waiting for a panel elected in February 2014 to draft their first constitution since Gaddafi seized power in 1969.

According to the World Health Organisation, Libya’s conflict has left 1.9 million people with serious health needs in a country that lacks medical professionals, medicines and vaccines.