Libya denies entry to Canadian rescue flight

Libya has denied entry into its airspace to a Canadian Air Force C-130 Hercules transport aircraft which had intended to pick up oil workers in Tripoli.

Permission has however been granted to an Italian air force aircraft after it too had initially been refused the go-ahead.

Tripoli airport officials later claimed the refusal to the Canadian aircraft was because of lack of space at Tripoli airport.

The Canadian aircraft is returning to Malta.

Canada has closed its embassy in Tripoli and suspended diplomatic relations.

Meanwhile there were 18 militarary and civilian aircraft on the ground in Malta this morning as part of the Libya evacuation. They came from Canada, Britain, Romania, Sweden, Libya and Italy.

But it was not just evacuated workers which military aircraft were bringing to Malta. A Belgian C-130 arrived carrying a restored flemish tapestry.