The Libyan leader's daughter, Aisha, has denied reports that she tried to flee to Malta.

The BBC said the denial was made on Libyan state television.

Earlier, Maltese government sources denied reports on some media that she was on a Libyan Arab Airlines plane that was refused permission to land in Malta yesterday afternoon. They also denied that the Libyan ambassador had been brought in to try and negotiate permission for the aircraft.

The plane turned back to Tripoli after circling near Malta for some 20 minutes.

It had arrived near Malta unexpectedly and when the pilot was queried about landing permission, he gave the control tower details of a flight which was supposed to have been made on Tuesday.

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