There are even two rival governments -- an Islamist-backed , self-installed government controls Tripoli , while a Western-backed government elected in June operates out of the country 's east . A landmark statue has disappeared from a roundabout in Libya 's capital , Tripoli . The bronze statue of a naked woman stroking a child dates from the Italian colonial era . Islamist militants had previously branded the statue immoral and threatened to remove it . The Cultural Ministry said the ` ` ' '' was an attempt to obliterate Libya 's history .
A landmark statue has disappeared from a roundabout in Libya 's capital , Tripoli . The bronze statue of a naked woman stroking a child dates from the Italian colonial era . Islamist militants had previously branded the statue immoral and threatened to remove it . The Cultural Ministry said the ` ` ' '' was an attempt to obliterate Libya 's history .