Libyans are celebrating their first free national election in 60 years after defying violence to turn out for a poll widely seen as drawing a line under Muammar Gaddafi's dictatorship.

Revellers lit up the sky over Tripoli with fireworks, while in Benghazi, scene of anti-poll protests by those wanting more autonomy, people celebrated by firing rocket-propelled grenades in the direction of the sea.

Even in Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte, which saw some of the worst fighting and damage in last year's Nato-backed uprising to end his 42-year rule, there was relief that Saturday's vote had gone smoothly.

One man was shot dead by a security guard on Saturday as he tried to steal a ballot box in the eastern town of Ajdabiya. Another died in a clash between protesters and supporters of the poll in Benghazi.

However, as voting closed, officials said 98% of poll centres had opened during the day for the ballot for a 200-member assembly that will name a prime minister and pave the way for parliamentary elections in 2013.

The election commission said after voting ended that 1.6 million of some 2.8 mil-lion registered voters had cast their ballots, a turnout of just under 60%.

Candidates with Islamist agendas dominate the field of more than 3700 hopefuls, suggesting Libya will be the next Arab Spring country – after Egypt and Tunisia – to see religious parties secure a grip on power.