People in Benghazi, the birth-place of the revolt which forced out former leader Muammar Qaddafi, have been protesting for weeks to demand the sacking of Qaddafi-era officials and more transparency about how the NTC is spending Libyan assets.

The attack underscored growing public discontent over the way Libya’s new rulers are running the North African country.

On a Saturday, hundreds of young men, many wounded from the war, rallied outside the NTC’s headquarters.

When NTC chairman Abdul Jalil came out to address the crowd, some protesters hurled empty plastic bottles at him, prompting security forces to fire tear gas, the Reuters reporter said.

“Go away, go away,” they chanted as Abdul Jalil spoke.

Protesters then threw stones and metal bars at the building, breaking windows, before storming the headquarters. One protester left the building carrying a set of loudspeakers and screaming: “Spoils of war!“

Protesters also damaged a vehicle used by Abdul Jalil.

Many of those who fought in the nine-month civil war that ended with the capture and killing of Qaddafi in October are unhappy with cash compensations promised by the government, saying it does not cover their basic needs.

The NTC is grappling with a range of problems including efforts to disband dozens of powerful militias that effectively control the country. Security officials want to integrate them into the military and police forces, but militia chiefs have shown little interest in surrendering their arms.

On Thursday, Abdul Hafiz Ghoga, Vice President of the NTC, was roughed up by university students in Benghazi. He was surrounded by a crowd of angry protesters and jostled before he was pulled away to safety.