Three Libyans, including a six-year-old boy, arrived in Malta this evening for emergency treatment at Mater Dei Hospital. 

The three were injured during last week's clashes with Isis militants in the western city of Sabratha.

They were flown on board a plane which left Mitiga airport and were taken by ambulance to Mater Dei's Intensive Therapy Unit upon arrival. 

A number of other Libyans wounded in the clashes could also be flown to Malta in the coming days. 

Islamic State militants briefly entered the centre of Sabratha on Wednesday, beheading 11 members of local security forces and killing another six in overnight clashes before retreating.

Islamist militants have taken advantage of political chaos and a lack of central authority to establish a presence in Libya, with fighters loyal to Islamic State seizing control in Sirte and staging attacks in several other cities.
During the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, neighbouring Malta was sometimes also used to nurse rebels injured in fighting.