MLATA: A Libyan passenger plane carrying as many 118 passengers that has been hijacked by two pro-Gaddafi supporters threatening to blow the aircraft finally surrendered resulting end of several hours long tense situation here at Malta.

The incident began after the plane took off from Sabha at 11:10 local time (08:10 GMT), landing in Malta two hours and 20 minutes later.

As per the news agencies, the domestic flight with 118 people on board including 82 men, 28 women and a baby along with seven crew members was hijacked in the morning after taking off from Sabha, bound for the Libyan capital Tripoli.

Hijackers diverted flight to Malta where it landed on Friday. It remains unclear exactly how many hijackers were involved.

As per the Maltese state television said the men on board were armed with hand grenades which they would detonate if their demands - as yet unknown - were not met. The Libyan Afriqiyah Airways A320 plane is believed to have 118 people on board, with the hijacking first confirmed by Malta's Prime Minister on Twitter.

Joseph Muscat wrote that he has been told of the hijacking of an internal Libyan flight travelling from Sebha to Tripoli which was diverted to Malta mid-flight. It is understood the plane's engines are still running and there are 111 passengers and 7 crew members onboard. Maltese armed forces are yet to approach the aircraft.

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