Pair quizzed on Capitol 'package'

The package was destroyed as a precaution

Police in Washington are questioning two men after destroying a suspicious package in their car parked near the US Capitol building.

Several streets near the US government buildings were closed off during the drama on Friday lunchtime.

Police said two men approached officers and told them they believed they had a suspicious package in their vehicle.

No evacuations were ordered for the Capitol building itself. The package was destroyed as a precaution.

Sgt Jessica Gissubel, of the US Capitol Police, said the men had parked the car around 1050 local time and that they "made comments to our officers which rose their suspicion".

The US Department of Labor building was shut down during the incident, reports said.

A hazardous materials response team was on the scene along with other emergency vehicles.