Your trusted source

Libya’s internationally recognized prime minister, Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani, said Tuesday he had survived an assassination attempt after leaving a session of the anarchic country’s elected parliament, The Daily Star reports, citing news agencies.

Thani told pan-Arab news channel al-Arabiya that after he left parliament in the town of Tobruk and drove off, gunmen in several cars followed his entourage and opened fire.

“We were surprised by a lot of bullets ... Thank God, we managed to escape,” he said. He did not elaborate.

Parliament speaker Aqila Saleh had asked Thani to leave the assembly for his safety after protesters opposed to his government gathered outside the naval base where the parliament meets, two lawmakers told Reuters.

A burning car could be seen outside the gated venue, lawmakers said.