No official explanation from Libya yet

Government has received no official explanation from the Libyan government yet on why 21 Maltese nationals working in Libya were recently sent back as soon as they landed in Tripoli, sources said.

The sources said the Maltese government was baffled by the move and asked for an explanation. Most of the men were working in construction and technical projects.

Diplomatic sources said they believed the decision to send the workers back had not been taken by the Libyan government as such but was an arbitrary decision taken by some Libyan police immigration authorities who are irritated by the fact that a substantial number of Libyans were recently declared illegal immigrants and sent back to Tripoli.

"In Tripoli, they are saying that some Libyan immigration officials wanted to pay back the Maltese for sending Libyan nationals back and declaring them illegal immigrants. They are saying that the decision is not official and was not taken by the Libyan government as such.

"They are also saying that the immigration authorities are also finding it difficult to accept the fact that the Maltese government intends introducing a visa for Libyan nationals."

They added that on the other hand the Libyan government valued the work of Maltese workers in Libya.

"The Maltese are considered among the best workers here."

But the situation was creating uncertainty among Maltese working in Libya.

Sources said the government was trying to find a quick solution to the problem to avoid any hardship for those working in Libya.