The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has decried what it described as the "violence that broke out during a demonstration outside its main office Sunday in Tripoli, wounding at least three people.

A statement by the UNHCR said that a small number of demonstrators tried to prevent refugees and asylum seekers, including women, children, and families, from entering its HQ to obtain services.

Explaining what happened, the UNHCR said that its staff was trying to negotiate with the demonstrators to let the refugees in when two of its staff and a security guard were attacked, indicating that the latter was taken to hospital with arm injuries.

"The main entrance to the building is now closed. UNHCR staff are still working inside and assisting more than 100 refugees and asylum-seekers who are currently inside the building."

Thousands of migrants have been camping out on both sides of the road that leads to the UNHCR HQ in the Sarraj area in Tripoli in the wake of protests by locals and shop owners who are demanding a solution to the crisis that impacted their lives, businesses, and the migrants too, as they put it.