Libyan prime minister survives shooting attack

Libyan internationally- recognized prime minister Abdullah al-Thinni on Tuesday has survived a shooting attack during a demonstration against the government, according to a government source.

"Procession of the prime minister was shot as he was leaving Tobruk air base, the parliament's temporary headquarter," a senior government official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

"A body guard was injured," the source added. "The incident took place following a parliamentary session that was canceled for security reasons."

According to a press release, the government accused a Libyan TV station owner of organizing the demonstration after the government refused to assign him as the head of a Libyan Investment institution.

Libya, a major oil producer in North Africa, has witnessed a frayed political process following the toppling of its leader Muammar Gaddafi during the 2011 political turmoil and now is deadlocked in a dogfight between the pro-secular army and Islamist militants.

In last August, the capital city of Tripoli fell into the hands of Libya Dawn, an armed Islamist coalition which has established its own government to confront the internationally recognized one, currently in exile in the eastern town of Tobruk. Endit