Dakar rally organiser Huber Auriol gives the thumbs up as a truck is unloaded from an Antonov cargo plane at Sabah airport, southern Libya. Drivers and vehicles were airlifted to avoid a terrorist threat in Niger.

Back on solid ground after the airlift, Spain's Juan Roma rides his KTM during the 11th stage of the rally between Sabha and Waw el Kebir, central Libya.

Austria's Heinz Kinigadner rides his KTM. Competitors will cover 1,600km (1,000 miles) before arriving in Egypt on Thursday.

An unidentified competitor rides through the Libyan desert. Less than half the participants normally finish the race.

French rider Richard Sainct heads towards Cairo his BMW.

Spain's Juan Roma is given a helping hand to push his KTM during the 11th stage of the rally.