The thing with Afriqiyah and Libyan, you can not compare them to other European or African Airlines, they are in a very unique position, they are both a long way off the good old days in the 70s maybe early 80s before the country was hit heavily by the sanctions, the days when 'Libyan Arab Airlines' won awards and was a very efficient service, credit to both airlines for trying very hard to get back to these sorts of standards once set for Arab and African airlines, even some European Airlines!
Fortunatly its a country blessed with oil wealth but at the very same time, blessed with a management team who simply 'do not know' how to go about setting up a world class airline, the torn seats and missing arm rests you speak of are correct ofcourse, these aircraft are rented from neighbouring Tunisia, I have been on board almost every plane in the Libyan fleet including the recently retired 727s. As a Libyan it gives me great pride to see Afriqiyah's new fleet of A320/19s with individual entertainment and very spacious. not to mention the new Libyan Airlines fleet when they start to be delivered! Just hope they get their act together with its punctuality!