Mixed expectations in Tripoli for Donald Trump

Libya's UN-backed government hopes for continued cooperation with the U.S. after Donald Trump's victory but residents of Tripoli express mixed reactions. Deborah Lutterbeck from Reuters reports. Reporter, Reuters, Deborah Lutterbeck … Mixed expectations in Tripoli as Donald Trump becomes president-elect in the United States. For Hussein Abdelsalam it's a bad sign. LIBYAN CITIZEN, HUSSEIN ABDELSALAM … "He's against Arabs and he doesn't like Muslims at all. This will be bad for Arabs, and if he continues this way, we and the whole Arab world are in trouble. Honestly, I do not support him." 

But it's a very different view from the Libyan Government of National accord as spokesperson Ashraf al-Tholthy emphasizes the ties between the governments. SPOKESPERSON, LIBYAN GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL ACCORD, ASHRAF AL-THOLTHY …"We would also like to take this opportunity to stress on the importance of our country's strategic relationship and appreciation for the political and military support presented to the Libyan government and people, for the stability in our country."

Libya - still on a war footing in parts of the country fighting Islamic State - has been aided by U.S. airstrikes and a small group of ground troops in Sirte since August. With no clear signals yet if that posture will change when there is a new president in the White House.