How a construction mogul became the face of Libya's fractured political landscape

Countries & Cities · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Born in Misrata and once a key figure in the Gaddafi-era construction boom, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh rose to lead Libya's first unified government since 2014. His tenure has been defined by intense factional wrangling, disputed credentials, and a refusal to step down until national elections finally take place.

Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, born around 1959, emerged from the business world to become a central figure in Libyan politics. Before his rise to the premiership, he led the Libyan Investment and Development Company (LIDCO), a state-owned firm responsible for major public works, including housing projects in Sirte. His background in construction and his leadership of the Al-Ittihad Football Club preceded his entry into the political arena. In 2020, he founded the Libya al-Mustakbal Movement, eventually securing his position as prime minister through the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in February 2021.

His administration has been marked by significant controversy. Dbeibeh faced scrutiny over his educational history, specifically a claimed Master's degree from the University of Toronto that the institution has denied. Furthermore, his selection process was clouded by allegations of vote-buying, which he and his associates have navigated while maintaining his role. His cousin and brother-in-law, Ali Ibrahim Dabaiba, a former mayor of Misrata who led LIDCO, was previously sanctioned and subject to an Interpol red notice, with estimates suggesting he embezzled billions during his tenure.

Since 2022, Dbeibeh’s authority has been directly challenged. Following the appointment of Fathi Bashagha as a rival prime minister by the House of Representatives, Dbeibeh rejected the move, insisting he would only relinquish power after a national election. Despite surviving an assassination attempt in February 2022 and facing ongoing political instability, he remains recognized by the United Nations as the interim prime minister. In a surprising turn in early 2024, he proposed restoring the Libyan monarchy as a potential path toward national stability.

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