Malta returns Mirages to Libya

Commander of the Libyan National Army, General Yousef El Mangoush thanked Malta for the "heroism" it showed at a time when it was still uncertain that former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi would be ousted from power.

Leading a Libyan delegation of military officers this afternoon at Castille, the General said Libya would always be thankful to Malta for welcoming the two Libyan pilots who had defected at the beginning of the uprising and for always siding with the people of Libya even when Gaddafi's hold was still strong.

"Malta's support will always be engraved in the hearts of Libyans," El Mangoush said.

He reiterated Libya's commitment to work with the Armed Forces of Malta and other issues which are of common interest to the two countries, including illegal immigration, air space and territorial waters.

The General also said that when they came to leave Libya this morning, they were faced with some "complications" at Tripoli: "But we insisted that we had to personally come here to thank you for your help."

The delegation also included Brigadier Sager Adam Al Giroshi, Chief of the Air Forces, Brigadier Hassan Ali Abu Shnaq, Chief of the Navy and Brigadier Abdessalam Mahmoud El-Hasi, Chief Special Forces.

The two Libyan pilots who had defected to Malta in February after refusing to obey orders to bomb civilians were this afternoon welcomed by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi with a hug.

Gonzi said today's meeting and the returning back of the jet fighters are another step forward in the relations between Libya and Malta.