A number of Misrata institutions overthrew the current Municipal Council of the city on Tuesday, following days of protests against the council’s mismanagement.

In a statement read by Chief of Misrata Military Council Colonel Ibrahim Bin Rajab, Misrata Military Council, Union of Revolutionary Fighters, branches of the Municipal Council and Misrata Security Department announced the removal of Municipal Council members after their refusal to sit with the protesters to resolve their differences.

“Due to the tension in the city, a committee was set up to mediate between the protesters and the Municipal Council, but the latter refused to meet with the committee without justifications,” the statement reads.

The protests against the Municipal Council was sparked on March 16 when the council dispatched former Gaddafi ally Hassan Shaba, together with mayor Mohammed Eshtaiwi, to represent the city in the ceasefire agreement that was brokered by UN-proposed Presidency Council in Tripoli.

Colonel Ibrahim Bin Rajab said the city’s institutions will continue working normally without any contact with the Municipal Council. A new steering committee is expected to be selected to replace the Municipal Council until new elections are held.

The Municipal Council has not yet issued any reaction regarding the removal announcement.