Around 70 Maltese nationals arrived in Malta from Libya just before 6pm in a Medavia aircraft commissioned by the government to operate a relief flight for those who wanted to leave Tripoli because of the current turmoil in the country.

They said they were contacted yesterday and asked whether they wanted to return to Malta. Some said that although they did not see actual fighting, they opted to return because they feared the situation would escalate and they would be stuck there. They paid €260 for the flight.

Forty-seven people have been killed in clashes between rival militias fighting for control of the international airport in Libya's capital, Tripoli, government officials said today.

The health ministry said on its website that 120 other people were injured in the fighting and there may be further casualties.

The clashes resumed yesterday after ceasefire efforts failed.

Libya is going through one of its worst spasms of violence since the 2011 ousting of long-time dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.