The government's Airbus plane has departed for Libya to bring home Bulgarian citizens in the Tripoli area, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, announced.

Borisov left the Tuesday meeting of the Consultative National Security Council to tell the news to the media.

The PM further informed Bulgarian authorities have received verbal permission for landing and added he was praying to God the mission would be successful.

Borisov said the Airbus is prepared for a second flight back to Libya and, if needed, the government will send another aircraft – of the flag career "Bulgaria Air."

Earlier Tuesday the Foreign Ministry informed the aircraft which was supposed to evacuate Bulgarians from the Libyan capital Tripoli has been delayed in Sofia.

The initial plan was for the plane, secured by the State-owned company Technoexportstroy, with 180 seats to land in Tripoli at noon.

There is no information available currently when this plane will depart.