(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 7^th.

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.