French civilian engineers have disarmed the two Libyan Mirage fighter jets that landed last week after their pilots defected.

The engineers from the French company that built the aircraft were in Malta yesterday to continue the process started a week ago when specialists from the Royal Air Force deactivated the weaponry.

Information Department director Martin Bugelli told a press briefing yesterday the engineers rendered the fighter jets completely safe.

Asked why this was being done, Mr Bugelli said it would have been dangerous to leave the Mirages armed on a runway.

The jets are parked at Malta International Airport and are under constant watch by soldiers.

Sources said the single-seat Mirages had ammunition pods that could fire 2.75 inch unguided air-to-surface rockets.

The two Libyan colonels who piloted the jets claimed they defected after being ordered to shoot on civilians. They have asked for political asylum.

Mr Bugelli said that soon after landing, a team of RAF specialists not only deactivated the weaponry but also inspected the fighter jets.

On Monday, the Prime Minister went on record saying initial inspections revealed no ammunition was fired from the aircraft.