MEP on official visit to Libya

The important role Malta can play in relations between Libya and the EU was highlighted by Libyan officials during a visit to Libya by Simon Busuttil and other MEPs.

The thrust of their talks was how the benefits that accrue from Malta's excellent relations with the north African country could lead to a better understanding of Libya by the EU and vice versa.

Dr Busuttil was one of 10 MEPs who travelled to Tripoli last week. The MEPs represented five political groups and seven countries.

They visited a detention centre for illegal immigrants where they could assess the conditions and length of stay by talking to several of the detainees.

The MEPs were told of the severe difficulties Libya was facing having to cope with one and a half million migrants, a number of whom escape to make their way to Europe. The European Commission recently proposed to co-operate with Libya on this matter.

Dr Busuttil was vice-chairman of the delegation, which was led by Rudi Ureba.