The Libyan government has formally requested the return of two Mirage F1 fighter jets flown to Malta by defecting pilots on Monday.

The aircraft are under armed guard at the airport. The pilots have requested political asylum and their case is being considered. The pilots claimed they flew to Malta after being ordered to bomb fellow Libyans in Benghazi.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said there has been no contact with the Libyan government on the fighter aircraft.

AIRPORT IS HIVE OF ACTIVITY

Meanwhile, Malta International Airport remains a hive of activity, with many countries using it as a transit point for the evacuation of their nationals.

Informed sources said that 41 flights have been operated to Malta from Tripoli since Monday, while Air Malta has operated 10 flights from the Libyan capital, including two today. All Maltese who were at Tripoli airport were picked up.

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