Two Libyan pilots defect to Malta

A soldier of Malta armed forces stands guard near two Libyan Mirage F1 fighter jets after they landed at Malta International Airport on February 21.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/166406.html

Two Libyan air force colonels have defected to the Mediterranean island of Malta in protest at orders to strike pro-democracy protesters in the North African country.

The pilots flew their jets from a base in eastern Benghazi, Libya's second largest city, when it was taken over by protesters. They told Maltese authorities they had been ordered to bomb the civilians.

"One of the pilots requested political asylum" after the two descended from their single-seat Mirage F1 jets, AFP quoted an unnamed Maltese government spokesman as saying on Monday.

After the landings in Malta, Italy said it had put its air bases on high alert and was moving air force and navy helicopters to southern Italy.

Authorities in Malta said they were holding the two pilots for further questioning.

Meanwhile, the airspace over the Libyan capital, Tripoli, has been reportedly closed until further notice.

Reports also indicate that two helicopters carrying seven passengers of French nationality landed at the same Maltese airport on Monday.

The helicopters had apparently escaped from oil rigs near Benghazi as they were not given clearance to leave Libya.

Malta is close to Libyan shores -- located just 340 kilometers (210 miles) north of the Libyan coastline.