UPDATE 2 | Defected Libyan pilots receive heroes' welcome in Tripoli

The two Libyan pilots who defected to Malta just three days after the Libyan revolution returned to their families, this morning and were given a hero's welcome at Tripoli's Mitiga air base. They were greeted by National Transitional Council officials and Libyan air force officials and family members.

The pilots, both Colonels in the Libyan Air Force were identified as Al-Rabti and Al-Salheen will be rejoining the air force.

Before leaving Malta on an AFM aircraft accompanied by AFM officials and representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, thanked the Maltese government for granting them asylum soon after their defection.

“This is a very happy moment for us. I’d like to thank the Prime Minister and government for their assistance and for the great solidarity they showed with the February 17 revolution,” one of the pilots said.

The pilot also thanked government for not having accepted the Gaddafi’s regime call to land on the island and take the Mirages. “I also thank government for having refused permission for planes which were being used against the Libyan people to land.”

For the last seven months, the pilots had been staying at the Officers’ Mess. They had been making contact with their families every other day.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi described the two pilots’ defection as “crucial” in the Libyan’s fight for their country.

“Their heroic decision sent a strong message, calling for the respect for human rights. They refused to bomb a village. By choosing to fly to Malta, they made the braver choice,” Gonzi said.

He added that Malta did not hesitate to help the pilots when they asked for protection and asylum: “We did not hesitate in granting them protection.”

Recalling the day they defected – Monday 21 February – the pilots said their Commander had issued an order to bombard a village. “But after 30 minutes we took the decision not to follow the orders,” the pilots said.

At 4:30pm (Libya time) the pilots took off from the air force base to the south of Zuwarah.  Immediately after take off, the pilots changed frequency and headed north, flying below radar level at some 70m of altitude and headed toward malta.

At a distance of 12nm from Malta, the pilots contacted the control tower and requested assistance.

“Malta responded quickly and we landed. We never regret that decision and we do not regret having come here. Malta protected us,” they said.

Asked whether they feared for their families and their lives as they chose to defect from the Gaddafi regime, the pilots said: “At that point, when we received the orders to bombard the village, the country was greater than the family … greater than anything else.

“We were supposed to bombard Libyans, who are also our brothers. It did not cross our mind how powerful Gaddafi was. But we put our faith in God’s hands.”

The pilots, being the only two instructors of the Libyan air force, will return to their duties, serving under the new Libyan government.

The Prime Minister also said that the new Mirages would be returned back to Libya once the sanctions are lifted and the new government asks for them.