Aeroplane carrying 118 people has been hijacked and diverted to Malta

An internal Libyan flight with 118 people onboard has been hijacked and flown to Malta International Airport.

The Airbus A320 belongs to Afriqiyah Airways and had been flying within the North African country's air space before being diverted to Malta. Initial reports suggest two hijackers threatened to blow up the plane.

Joseph Muscat, the Maltese Prime Minister, has said that security forces were standing by at the airport, while Lija's deputy mayor, Madga Magri Naudi, told the BBC that the hijackers were yet to make any demands.

Emergency teams have been dispatched to the airport which is closed with all flights diverted to other destinations.