Libyans will vote on Saturday for a constituent assembly, the first body elected since the ouster of former leader Muammar Gadhafi, tasked with steering the country through its critical transition.

The national assembly is expected to replace the ruling National Transitional Council and oversee the drawing-up of a new constitution, the first after a months-long civil war last year that toppled Gadhafi.

"All fundamental questions have to be decided by this elected group of 200 people," said Sami Zaptia, managing editor of Libya Herald. "It is very important. You don't write a constitution every day."