President Guido de Marco yesterday continued his state visit to Libya with a private meeting with Libyan Prime Minister Shukre Ghanemm.

The two discussed bilateral relations, the situation in the Middle East and the Euromed process in the context of an enlarged European Union and the Mediterranean, with Malta acting as the link between the two.

On Sunday evening, the President and his delegation were guests at a state dinner by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

President Gaddafi presented Prof. de Marco with Libya's highest honour - the Medal of the Great El Fatah (First Degree).

Prof. de Marco reciprocated by presenting President Gaddafi with an Honorary Companion of Honour of the National Order of Merit with Collar.

He also invited the Libyan leader to Malta and spoke about the friendship between the two peoples, not just between the countries' governments.

President Gaddafi thanked Malta for its continuous support during Libya's hardship in its efforts to promote peace in the region.

He described Malta as a "true friend" of Libya and said his country recognised Malta's importance in the international arena now and in the past.

Before moving on to Tripoli, where he was hosted at the Bab Africa Corinthia, the President was yesterday taken to see the Great Man-Made River which supplies the whole of Libya with water coming from the south of the country.

In the afternoon the President visited Leptis Magna - the ruins of what was once one of the finest Roman cities in the Mediterranean.

The President returns to Malta this evening.