MLP welcomes planned Gaddafi visit

The Labour Party has welcomed the decision by Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, to visit Malta since this could serve to improve relations between the two countries, the party's foreign affairs spokesman Leo Brincat said yesterday.

Mr Brincat said that when speaking to The Sunday Times, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo had, however, failed to comment about points he (Mr Brincat) had brought up regarding the visas issue, the decision not to buy any more oil from Libya and the prospective privatisation of the Libyan Arab Maltese Holding Company.

The minister, Mr Brincat said, did not deny or confirm that a meeting scheduled between Dr Frendo and the Libyan leader in Libya a few days ago was not held.

The spokesman said the minister failed to say when Malta had invited the Libyan leader to visit Malta, when it received the note verbale regarding Col Gaddafi's visit or when the visit would actually be taking place.

Mr Brincat said that as the opposition's spokesman on foreign affairs, he wanted relations between Malta and Libya to be placed on new foundations in the shortest time possible and difficulties between the two countries, including those of illegal immigration and Maltese fishermen, to be thrashed out without any delay.