Libyan voting centres opened on time at 0500 GMT with lines of people eager to elect the General National Congress, which will be at the helm of the country for a transition period.

At the Taquddum School voting station in downtown Tripoli, a long line queued up at the female entrance to the facility, as people sought to beat the midday heat, expected to reach 44 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

"People don't really know what's coming, as it's a first time for everyone," said Al Jazeera's David Poort. "But voters are patiently waiting and excited."