(VOVworld) – The Libyan General National Congress (GNC) reached a consensus Sunday on holding early elections after the public protested the Congress extending a mandate that ended on February 7th.

Thousands of Libyans took to the streets for the second consecutive week on Friday to protest against the decision of the General National Congress
to extend its mandate. (File photo: Reuters)

The GNC's 200 members were elected in July 2012 for a term of 18 months and tasked with leading Libya’s transition after the 2011 uprising. But earlier this month, it voted to extend its mandate until December. The GNC adopted a new roadmap that would see a general election held by the end of the year if a constitutional body due to be chosen on February 20 adopts a new charter within four months of its election.