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At least two members of Libya's General National Congress were shot and wounded after protesters
stormed its headquarters in Tripoli on Sunday evening, according to congress members.
One of the congressmen, Abdul Rahman Sweihli, was shot in the leg after protesters opened
fire on him inside the building. As his security detail rushed him out, gunmen
opened fire on their cars as they were trying to flee, his son Bashir Sweihli told CNN.
No information about the second lawmaker was available.
A GNC member speaking on Libyan TV said lawmakers continued their evening session despite dozens
of protesters surrounding the building and pouring gasoline on the walls before they
stormed the building. Other members of the GNC, the country's interim
parliament, were assaulted, and some of the women members harassed, lawmakers said.
Young men ransacked the building, and parts of it were set on fire, according to witnesses.
Videos posted to social media sites showed a chaotic scene, with young men setting cars
and furniture outside the building ablaze. Public anger has been mounting against the
GNC, especially after members voted last December to extend their term in office until the end
of this year. For almost a month, thousands of Libyans have
taken to the streets across the country in peaceful demonstrations demanding an end to
the GNC's term. In response to the rising tensions, lawmakers
announced last month that early elections would be held, but a date has not yet been
set. Earlier in the day, anti-GNC protesters blocked
off roads close to the building and set tires on fire after reports spread of an attack
Saturday night on anti-GNC protesters. That attack included burning down their tent and
reportedly kidnapping some protesters.