ROME, Apr 27, 2011 (AFP) - A United Arab Emirates F-16 fighter jet taking part in military operations over Libya veered off the runway after landing at an air base in Italy, Italian news agency ANSA reported on Wednesday.
The pilot ejected from the plane when it was already on the ground but no-one was injured in the accident at the Sigonella air base in Sicily which has been temporarily shut down, the report said, citing anonymous sources.
The plane was based at the Decimomannu base in Sardinia as part of a deployment of 12 fighter jets from the United Arab Emirates including six F-16s and six Mirages for the enforcement of a no-fly zone on Libya.
Contacted by AFP, the Italian air force and the main NATO base in Naples in charge of Libya operations were not immediately able to comment on the report.
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Copyright AFP 2011.
