Plane with Gaddafi’s daughter onboard denied landing in Malta
By Ria Novosti
A Libyan plane believed to be carrying Aisha Gaddafi, the embattled Libyan leader’s daughter, was denied permission to land in Malta, local media said on Wednesday.
The Arab Airlines ATR 42 turbo-prop aircraft flew to Malta without prior notice. The pilot gave details about the flight which was due to land at Malta International Airport on Tuesday, the Times of Malta said.
The plane was denied permission to land and headed back to Libya after having circled for some 20 minutes trying to reverse the decision.
The report said Maltese soldiers were seen entering the airport when the aircraft approached.
It is believed that the plane was carrying 14 passengers, including the daughter of Muammar Gaddafi. The information has not been officially confirmed by the government.
On Monday, two Libyan Air Force Mirage F-1 jet fighters flew to Malta. The pilots sought political asylum, claiming they escaped after having been ordered to bomb protesters in Benghazi. The aircraft had air-to-ground rockets onboard.
According to international organizations, 640 people have been killed and up to 4,000 wounded in clashes with government forces in Libya since protests against Gaddafi’s regime began on February 15.
