Police questioned two men and destroyed a suspicious package in their car yesterday after the pair suggested the vehicle contained an explosive device, US Capitol Police said.

Police closed several streets near the Capitol building and cleared a nearby commercial office building during the incident. The Capitol and Senate and House of Representatives office buildings were not evacuated.

"The two individuals approached our officers and advised them that they believed they had a suspicious package in their vehicle," police spokeswoman Jessica Gissubel told reporters.

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