Libyan congress suspends meetings after violent protest

Libya's General National Congress (GNC) decided on Saturday to suspend its meetings after protesters besieged the parliament building and assaulted some lawmakers Tuesday. Mohamed al-Maqrif, the head of the GNC, said the congress will not work under threat of weapons or pressure of terrorism. The GNC expected the Libyans to express their demands by legitimate means rather than violence and the use of force, he added. Hundreds of Libyans gathered outside the GNC headquarters Tuesday to press for the adoption of a political isolation law banning officials under former Leader Muammar Gaddafi's government from assuming power. Al-Maqrif's car was shot at during the demonstration but he was not injured. The state budget, the constitutional entitlement and the isolation law among others have been disrupted because of the violent protest.