Updated 11 p.m. - A French military transport aircraft has arrived in Malta with technicians and spare parts to repair a Mirage F1 fighter aircraft which landed in Malta this afternoon with hydraulic problems.

The plane arrived at about 2.30 p.m. along with a second aircraft which later flew on to its base in Corsica. The  two had been on a mission over Libya.

The damaged aircraft stayed on a taxiway until it could be towed for repairs. 

This was the second time in a month that French aircraft technicians came to Malta. They were also here to make safe two Libyan air force Mirage jets which were flown to Malta by defecting pilots at the start of the upheaval in Libya. The aircraft are still in Malta.

Another two French Mirages made an emergency landing in Malta on Wednesday when a technical problem prevented them from refuelling in mid-air. They flew back to their base in Corsica after refuelling.

The planes are taking part in operations over Libya.