MALTA Airport has a hijack situation as two men threaten to blow up a Afriqiyah Airways plane from Libya.
The Afriqiyah Airways airbus A320 was on an internal flight in Libya with 118 people in board when the attack occurred.
It was forced to divert to Malta after two attackers hijacked the flight and threatened to blow up the plane.
Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat tweeted: "Informed of potential hijack situation of a Libya internal flight diverted to Malta. Security and emergency operations standing by -JM".
The plane, flight number 8U209, left Sabha in south-west Libya for Tripoli at 10.10am.
It was scheduled to arrive at 11.20am, but was instead diverted to Malta International Airport, where it landed at 11:32am.
Early reports suggest there are two pro-Gaddafi hijackers on board who have threatened to blow up the plane and keep the passengers hostage if their unknown demands are not met.
The Malta International Airport said in a statement that there was an unlawful interference at the airport and that all emergency teams have been dispatched to the site.
The statement added: "All emergency teams have been dispatched to the site. Passengers are advised to follow www.maltairport.com for updates."
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Armed police and even counter terrorism units have reportedly been deployed to the scene this morning.
A spokesperson for the Malta Air Traffic Services told MaltaToday that it is far too early to release any information.
Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said: "Following news of plane hijacking with grave concern. My full cooperation to Govt to protect #Malta security and the safety of passengers."
On 19 December, one of Afriqiyah Airways’ planes was shot at while on the ground at Tripoli Mitiga.