TRIPOLI, Libya - British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Tripoli on Thursday - the first heads of government to visit Libya since revolutionary forces seized the capital, a major endorsement for the North African nation's new rulers.

The visit is a victory lap for Nicolas Sarkozy and David Cameron, who defied doubters at home to lead a NATO bombing campaign that succeeded in ushering in a victory by forces who swept away Gadhafi's 42-year rule last month, according to Reuters.

The two men were expected to fly on to Benghazi later.

Cameron's office said in a statement: "He is expected to announce a further package of UK assistance to support the Libyan-led process of transition to a free, democratic and inclusive Libya."

France's finance minister said the visit is not about landing economic deals but about showing support for the former rebels who ousted Gadhafi, according to the Associated Press.

On Thursday, China said it supports the National Transitional Council (NTC) representing Libya at the United Nations, according to Xinhua.

"China supports the NTC representing Libya at the United Nations," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a daily news briefing.

Jiang's comments came ahead of the United Nations General Assembly's move to discuss whether the NTC can represent Libya at the United Nations later this month.

China officially recognized the NTC as the ruling authority and representative of the Libyan people on Monday.

Reuters-AP-Xinhua