A government jet carrying Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on a visit to Azerbaijan has been forced to return to a military airport near Athens shortly after take-off following a suspected malfunction, the Associated Press reported.
Samaras' office says the air force Embraer jet landed safely at Elefsina Airport late Monday. It is undergoing inspections to see whether it can make the flight or a replacement plane will be needed.
The aircraft presented the problem 15 minutes after taking off for the Azeri capital of Baku, where Samaras is due to sign natural gas deals Tuesday.
The prime minister's office said Samaras was traveling with Greece's energy minister and deputy energy minister.