French armed forces have confirmed that two Mirage 2000 aircraft recently had to make emergency landings in Malta.

According to a media source, the Dassault-built aircraft were carrying live ammunition to participate in the Nato-led campaign in Libya.

French armed forces spokesman Colonel Thierry Burkhard confirmed that the planes had landed either due to a technical or refuelling problem.

The forced landing of the aircraft is the third incident involving the French jets since the beginning of the military involvement in Libya.

The French forces are part of a Nato-led coalition which is enforcing a United Nations no-fly zone over Libya and protecting civilians from attacks by troops loyal to Colonel Gaddafi.