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Libyan prime minister uninjured in assassination attempt

By Danielle Haynes

TOBRUK, Libya, May 26 (UPI) -- Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni was uninjured Tuesday when a gunman opened fire on his convey as he left parliament.

Al-Thinni told al-Arabiya he survived the assassination attempt after five unmarked vehicles intercepted his convoy.

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"We were surprised by a lot of bullets... Thank God, we managed to escape," he said.

One member of his security was injured when he jumped out of a vehicle during the attack, al-Thinni's spokesman, Hatem al-Oraibi told Libyan state media.

Al-Thinni had left a session of parliament in the eastern city of Tobruk after gunfire was heard. Protesters opposed to the government had gathered outside the building and a burning car was seen outside.

The assassination attempt comes amid years of infighting among a variety of groups and militias within the country, CNN reported. Four years after the overthrow of late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, two parliaments -- one in the east and one in the west -- fight for control over the country.

Al-Thinni has been criticized as ineffectual after losing control of Tripoli in the west.

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