Pro-Gaddafi Hijackers Release Hostages, Seek Asylum in Malta

The Airbus A320 was flying inside Libya for state-owned airline Afriqiyah Airways.

• Two hijackers diverted a plane from Libya to Malta, with 118 people on board.
  
• The hijackers had grenades on them, according to passengers.
  
• They demanded the creation of a pro-Gaddafi party.
  
• All the passengers and crew were released.
  
• The hijackers sought asylum in Malta, after which they surrendered and were taken into custody.
  

The Prime Minister of Malta confirmed that the hijackers had surrendered and have been taken into custody.

All the crew and passengers have safely evacuated the flight.

Hijackers surrendered, searched and taken in custody.

— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) December 23, 2016

Final crew members leaving aircraft with hijackers.

— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) December 23, 2016

The Libyan plane hijackers have asked for asylum in Malta.

#WATCH: 109 passengers disembark after being released from hijacked Libyan plane, in Malta pic.twitter.com/GAOWYYof17

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 23, 2016

Hijacker of the diverted plane has told Libyan TV that he is the head of the Pro-Gaddafi party.