Libya holds elections to end post-Gaddafi instability
A new 200-seat parliament will be elected in the second poll since the long-time leader was ousted.
The UN has described the poll as "an important step in Libya's transition towards stable democratic governance".
The election was called a month ago amid government claims that a renegade general was plotting a coup.
General Khalifa Haftar denied the allegation, but launched a military offensive against Islamist militias whom he accused of holding Libya to ransom.
At least 70 people were killed in the ensuing battles. Gunmen also stormed the parliamentary building in the capital, Tripoli.
More than 1.5 million voters have registered for the election, down from the 2.8 million who registered for Libya's first election in 2012.
The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says that turnout is expected to be low, with just a trickle of voters going to polling stations so far in the capital.
She says that no polling has taken place in the eastern city of Derna due to security fears.
Nearly 2,000 candidates are vying for seats in the new parliament, the House of Representatives.
Liberal parties defeated Islamists in the 2012 elections, but there are no party lists this time.
Instead, candidates are contesting parliamentary seats as individuals - a decision taken to reduce tensions, our correspondent says.
BBC
