The government has rushed to quash reports in the media (not The Malta Independent) with regard to military aircraft that were seen or heard today.

In a statement, the government said that in January a request for diplomatic clearance was made for UK military planes to land in Malta and stay here for a few hours until they depart for another destination. This request was accepted.

The presence of these aircraft had no links with the Libya crisis or with any attack against the Islamic State, the government said.

Any alarmist comment could give rise to speculation that causes damage to the country.

While the government was quick to react to media stories on the military aircraft, it has remained silent on a story appearing in The Malta Independent online since ar;y in the afternoon about high alert at the Armed Forces of Malta last Thursday and Friday, and Italian media reports about possible missile strikes from North African towards Europe.