Members of Libya's UN-backed unity government arrived in the capital Tripoli on Wednesday, defying warnings by rival factions that it should not move there.
The Presidential Council was formed under a UN-mediated peace deal late last year in an effort to end the political chaos and conflict that has beset the country since the uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi five years ago.
It is supposed to replace the two rival administrations - one based in Tripoli, the other in the eastern city of Tobruk - that have been battling each other for more than a year.
Tripoli's self-declared government and armed groups that back it had in recent days warned the unity government not to travel to Tripoli.
But seven members of the council, including its head and Prime Minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj, arrived in the Libyan capital by sea and set up a temporary seat of power at a naval base. The officials were prevented from flying into Tripoli by the rival government.
A post on the unity government's website confirmed the arrival, the Associated Press reported.
Sarraj told the Reuters news agency that the council members had travelled in a Libyan navy vessel from the Tunisian port of Sfax, a 12-hour journey.
"There are challenges ahead of us, including uniting Libyans and healing divisions," he said after arriving. "Young people are the ones we must bet on for Libya's future."
Ali Abu Zakouk, the foreign minister of the rival government, said Sarraj's presence is "unacceptable".
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Al Jazeera's Mahmoud Abdelwahed, reporting from Tripoli, said the situation was "calm" in the capital following the news of the unity government's arrival. He added the big question now was whether the members of the council would be able to govern.
"There are a lot of challenges facing this government here in Tripoli," Abdelwahed said. "Three major political entities in Libya are opposing the presence of this government."
Martin Kobler, the UN envoy for Libya, welcomed the arrival of the council in Tripoli and urged all public bodies to facilitate a peaceful and orderly handover of power.
"I call on the Libyan people to extend to the Presidency Council and the Government of National Accord their full support and cooperation," Kobler said.

"The international community stands firmly behind them and is ready to provide the required support and assistance," he added.
Ahead of its arrival, the council said it had negotiated a security plan with police and military forces in Tripoli, and with some armed groups.
It has called for an immediate transfer of power, though both the Tripoli and eastern-based governments oppose this.
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Source: Al Jazeera and agencies

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