The prime minister of Libya’s internationally recognized government on Tuesday survived an assassination attempt after facing hostile questioning inside parliament and demands for his resignation from armed protesters outside.
The mayhem and violence broke out amid growing signs of divisions in the faction backing the government of Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni against a rival faction that has taken over the capital, Tripoli.
It was unclear who was responsible for the assassination attempt. Armed forces allied with the government, which is based in Tobruk and Bayda, have been battling Islamist militants from Benghazi and Dernah.
Last winter, militants hostile to the government set off a car bomb at the hotel used as a meeting place for parliament.
However, Thinni, a former army general, but now a civilian politician, has also been under growing internal pressure for several months from supporters of General Khalifa Hifter, the military leader who effectively dominates the Tobruk-Bayda government.
On Tuesday, Thinni appeared before parliament in Tobruk to face sharp questioning about the effectiveness of his government.
Armed demonstrators demanding his resignation gathered outside at the same time. At one point, a car was set on fire, according to news reports, forcing parliament to shut down.
As Thinni left to return to his office in Bayda, assailants fired shots at his car and wounded one of his bodyguards, an aide said.
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