Libyan Plane Hijackers Arrested As Passengers Are Released

 

The hijackers of a Libyan jet have been arrested. This followed a stand-off at Malta International Airport.

The flight, a domestic one with 118 people on board, was hijacked Friday morning after taking off from Sabha in Tripoli, Libya.

And following the release of most of the people on board, the hijackers surrendered to Maltese authorities from the Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A320.

But it’s uncertain how many hijackers took part.

However, there are speculations that supporters of late former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi may have carried out the act.

Ealier, Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said all passengers have been released from the plane in Malta, the Maltese state broadcaster reports.

Muscat said that the crew members were also in the process of  being freed.

“Potentially 2 hijackers and some crew members still on board aircraft,’’he explained.

News Agency of Nigeria  reports that the first of 65 passengers released were made up of women and children.