Voters queued at polling stations in Libya to cast their ballots in an election in which Islamists were expected to emerge as the strongest force, as they have in Tunisia and Egypt following their Arab Spring uprisings.

"I feel like a groom. It is a 'wedding' of democracy today. It is the first time that we will choose who will govern us and the people are fine, thanks to God," one voter said.

Voters will choose a 200-member assembly from a field of 3,700 hopefuls, who will elect a prime minister and cabinet before laying the ground for full parliamentary elections next year under a new constitution.

Early partial results after polls close on Saturday night will give some guide to the make-up of the assembly but full preliminary results are not due until Monday.

Source: The Telegraph