Libya wanted to trade Dutch Lynx crew with Mirage F1s

It has emerged that Libya demanded that Malta return its two Mirage F1 fighters in exchange for a detained Dutch Navy Lynx crew.

However, Maltese Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi refused to negotiate and wanted the crew freed unconditionally.

The crew, two men and one woman, has since been freed and flown out of Libya on board a Greek C-130.