Two Libyan Air Force colonels flew their Dassault Mirage F1 fighter jets to Malta and defected on Monday rather than obeying orders to bomb protesters in Libya, according to published reports.
In the midst of a public outcry to overthrow dictator Moammar Gadhafi, the pilots took off from Tripoli and landed on the Mediterranean island after being instructed to attack protesters in Benghazi, Libya’s second largest city. One of the pilots is reported to be seeking political asylum.
Another group of seven Libyans reportedly arrived in Malta aboard two helicopters. Only one passenger had a valid passport.
