London, Sep 15 (IANS): British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have reached Libyan capital Tripoli to announce assistance for Libya's new authorities, the National Transitional Council (NTC), the BBC reported.

The two are reportedly the first among heads of governments or countries to visit since Muammar Gaddafi was ousted.

They will meet NTC leaders in Tripoli before flying to Benghazi, the rebels' stronghold.

NTC chief Mustafa Abdul Jalil has pledged the visiting leaders "will be safe".

Cameron said he was delighted to be in Tripoli. He said he "hoped to work for a better and free and democratic Libya".

He and Sarkozy flew by helicopter to visit a hospital, where they were greeted by cheering staff and patients.

BBC reported that graffiti can be seen all over Libya that say "Merci Sarkozy!" and "Thank you Britain!"

Cameron, accompanied by Foreign Minister William Hague, is also expected to announce that Britain will deploy a military team to advise the NTC on security, return Libyan assets totalling 500 million pounds ($790 million) to the interim authorities as soon as possible, provide 600,000 pounds (around $950,000) for removing land mines in Libya, and 60,000 pounds (around $95,000) for a police communications system.