Australia takes lead role in search for missing jet

[KUALA LUMPUR] Australia took a leading role in the search for a passenger jet in the southern Indian Ocean that vanished 10 days ago as Malaysian authorities focused on what role the pilots may have played in the diversion of the aircraft.

Initial investigations indicated that it was the co-pilot who last made contact with air traffic controllers before the plane vanished from radars, Malaysia Airlines chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said yesterday. Malaysian officials also refuted criticism that they had refused to cooperate with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott discussed the search plan with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak, who asked Australia to take responsibility for the southern part of the search zone.