Permanent Representatives endorse the proposal

The Committee of Permanent Representatives of the European Union has agreed to endorse a proposal by Malta and Italy to lift an arms embargo on Libya, according to diplomatic sources in Brussels.

"The decision, which has still to be confirmed by EU Foreign Ministers, was welcomed last night by the government.

This agreement shall result in Libya being better positioned to give a significant contribution to the fight against illegal immigration and organised crime within the Mediterranean area, the positive results of which will be experienced by all states in the region," the government said.

Malta and Italy have been pressing their EU counterparts to lift the embargo imposed on Libya in 1986 in order to allow Tripoli to purchase equipment to beef up its fight against illegal migration, including aircraft and seacraft.

In theory, the ban should be lifted at the next meeting of EU Foreign Ministers scheduled for October 11 in Luxembourg. The Italo-Maltese proposal is the latest bid by the two countries to ease the increasing number of illegal immigrants flooding into their territory across the Mediterranean. The proposal was submitted jointly by Italy and Malta a few days ago following discussions between Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg and Italian Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu.

The two countries proposed that the EU immediately partially lifts the sanctions on arms exports imposed on Libya. However, the committee's latest decision goes even further than the original proposal and allows a total lifting of the sanctions still in place.

Libya is considered to be a major hub for illegal immigrants from African countries and it is estimated that more than a million are waiting on its shores to sail across the Mediterranean.

Discussions on the migrants issue between Libya, Malta and Italy are set to continue. On Sunday, Mr Pisanu will be having talks in Libya. This will be followed next week by a Maltese delegation to Tripoli headed by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.