Libya's interim rulers on Monday elected academic Abdel Rahim al-Kib to head a transitional government as NATO was set to end an air campaign that played a major role in ousting dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Kib, a native of Tripoli, was elected prime minister in a public vote carried out by the members of the National Transitional Council, a journalist reported.

The little-known academic who specialises in electrical engineering beat four other candidates, winning 26 out of 51 votes.

Addressing the leaders, Kib set his priority as building "a nation that respects human rights."

"We guarantee that we are going to build a nation that respects human rights and does not accept the abuse of human rights. But we need time," he told a press conference shortly after beating four other candidates in a vote.

On the issue of the former rebel fighters who defeated longtime strongman Muammar Gaddafi, he said: "We are very aware that our brothers, the revolutionairies, the fighters, share the same opinion as us. They also believe that the stability of the country is extremely important."

For the future

"This vote proves that Libyans are able to build their future," NTC chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil said after he voted.

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen earlier made a brief visit to Tripoli, saying he foresaw no major role left for the alliance in Libya hours before its air mission was due to officially end.

"At midnight tonight, a successful chapter in NATO's history is coming to an end. But you have also started writing a new chapter in Libya's history," he told a joint press conference with Abdel Jalil.

Rasmussen was whisked off directly for talks at the Rixos Hotel but later had a chance to talk about the country's future with a group of about 60 young Libyans.

The visit came seven months after Western powers fired the first barrage of missiles against Muammar Gaddafi's forces in an air war that played a major role in ousting the veteran dictator.

The no-fly zone and naval blockade, enforced by NATO since March 31, will end Monday at 11:59 pm Libyan time (2159 GMT), as stipulated by a UN Security Council resolution last week that closed the mandate authorising military action.

Operation Unified Protector was terminated even though Abdel Jalil had asked for the alliance to stay until the end of the year, warning that Gaddafi loyalists still posed a threat.

But NATO deemed that civilians were safe from attacks after the new regime declared the country liberated following Gaddafi's death and the fall of his hometown of Sirte on October 20.

Despite having his request for an extension of the mission turned down, the NTC chairman hailed NATO's crucial support and the precision of its air strikes.

"On behalf of the Libyan people, we express our appreciation and gratitude to the alliance, both the NATO alliance and Arab countries and friends. Thank you for that effort, which achieved victory for us," Abdel Jalil said.

"The NATO operation in Libya was successful in a great way... It was very accurate in the way that civilians were not affected. I think the people of Tripoli testify to that," he added.