Ambassador insists Gaddafi 'must not go'

Anne Borg

Feb 22nd 2011, 11:55

The ambassador is doing his job. He cannot take positions especially against the regime. His position is very delicate and considering the situation they are in, the choice of words he has done is the right one. He could not have said 'He should go'. Would any of you in such a position honestly (emphasizing the last word) do so?

neville debattista

Feb 22nd 2011, 11:40

@Saadun Suayeh. Very diplomatic indeed but I still beleive that you got yourself in a mess . You insist that Gaddafi must stay but at the same time you say that you do not want to resign because you intend to defend the interests of the people who are protesting outside your office. ( whose only interest is to throw Gaddafi out of office). Jew m' Alla jew max-xitan my friend. There is no road in between.

Mark Jones

Feb 22nd 2011, 09:52

The ambassador thinks that paying mercenaries thousands to shoot your own unarmed citizens and asking the air force to bomb your own capital is "the country's unity." He is as deluded as Gaddafi.

Pierre Portelli

Feb 22nd 2011, 06:56

I agree our friendship is with the people of Libya who at this very time are being massacred by their FORMER leader by paying FOREIGN mercenaries with the country's money! All the agreements and treaties we had were with Gaddafi as leader as representative of the peoples of Libya not in his personal capacity! By abdicating that position by killing his own people, who he has previously sworn to protecti he has also forsaken our friendship and loyalties. Let us hope that too many of us will not forget come elections in Malta the shameful way this Maltese government sat on the fence as civilians are being butchered...

J Fenech

Feb 21st 2011, 22:33

I'm no admirer of Col. Gaddafi. However with all his defects, he brought a semblance of stability in his country, which has seen many foreign investment from the west. What will a post gaddafi libya consist? God forbid not an Islamic fundamentalist regime on our doorstep. That is what should scare us here!

M. Robertson

Feb 21st 2011, 19:33

I worked at the Libyan Embassy in 1969 when Gaddafi got rid of the royal family. For three days there was a total blackout and the airport was closed. The Libyans at the Embassy spent the time taking down and putting back up the portraits of the king and crown prince because they weren't sure if Gaddafi was there to stay. A bit like the ambassador today!

K Vella

Feb 21st 2011, 19:31

SHAMEFUL....SHAMEFUL AND SHAMEFUL Killing your own people is a shameful/terrorist act. If Gaddafi will remain in power an embargo must be considered, this goes all against human rights.

F Gauci

Feb 21st 2011, 18:31

I remember Mr. Suayeh from my university days when he lectured to us students at the Dept of Arabic. I admired him then, as a scholar. Sad to say that I don't recognise him in the shoes of an ambassador to Gaddafi's regime. I don't think he represents all Libyans as he's said, I'm sure if he had a little compassion towards his compatriots fighting to free their land from tyrrany, and possibly if he had family there who are being bombed to death for wanting Gaddafi out, he would bow his head and get himself out of the embassy. Show some respect to fellow countrymen, Mr. Ambassador.

G, Farrugia

Feb 21st 2011, 18:21

Your choice is obvious although not very pleasant: Either back Gaddafi to save your skin just in case he manages to quash the rebellion OR do the honorable thing like many other diplomats are doing, resign and give your support to the people. Surely any sane person would choose the latter option rather than face the wrath of the masses.

A Calleja

Feb 21st 2011, 18:14

Mr Ambassador, your can't listen to your people because Gaddafi pays you. But I really believe you should listen to them. Your regime is not wanted anymore - not everyone has been as lucky as you to be on Gaddafi's pay role.

Pamela Hansen

Feb 21st 2011, 18:06

What on earth does one expect from a Gaddafi appointee.

Peter Seychell

Feb 21st 2011, 17:56

Truth of the matter is that there is very little to look forward to in a post Gaddafi Libya. Gaddafi has managed to create a system in his 40 years + that outside of his immediate circle, nothing exists, vacuum, bah, no opposition, no political leaders....This is not Eygpt where at least a care-taker government made up of the military stepped in, Gaddafi's divid-and-rule policy makes sure that without him things really grind to a halt. This is really a sorry situation, one that the people of Libya surely do not deserve.

Karl Consiglio

Feb 21st 2011, 17:30

The ambassador is afraid of Gaddafi, lest things turn back to normal

John Cefai

Feb 21st 2011, 17:17

'Country's unity'? He must be joking.

Joe Genovese

Feb 21st 2011, 16:42

"His presence for the time being is ..." His Excellency is running with the hares and hunting with the (gun-toting) hounds. Is that diplomacy or double-talk? Could he be looking for a way out for saving his hide?

Melvyn Mifsud LLD

Feb 21st 2011, 16:34

What does the Ambassador mean when he says for the time being - how much is the time. A day or a week or... a month. Or an indefinite period... Or does His Excellency advocate that until law and order is restored ... than Colonel Gaddafi should go. Then as is a natural consequence, the same Honourable Ambassador , His excelelency should offer the new Governmenr or leadership his reignation. So somoene may be tempted at arguing, although I may diasgree, that His Excellency may have a rmote vested interest in the way he replies. One may say that the least said the better in this turmoil - and volatile situation. Let us augur peace, human rights and democracy for the new Libja - that is just around the corner. For the Libyan people up to grab ... if they so elect.

M Cauchi

Feb 21st 2011, 16:33

A Libyan consul secretary, a translator and a receptionist have quit their jobs at the embassy in Stockholm. In a letter, they write: We condemn the genocide of civilians taking place in Libya following their legitimate demands of life in dignity and without the despot Gadaffi's continued mismanagement and corruption. We find the situation unbearable: we don't want to be passive when we see that people rise up against the tyrant despite the obvious risk that their blood is spilled. Therefore we resign in protest and urge others to make their voices heard. Translator Sayed Jalabi adds: It is because of what is happening in Libya. We believe that we can not continue working at an embassy, which stands for a regime that oppresses and mass-murdering people.

Frank Portelli 2BFRANK

Feb 21st 2011, 16:15

Ambassador Malta condemns the use of disproporionate force on unarmed protestors. The Libyan people have a right to demonstrate against corruption, high cost of living , lack of jobs, clearly they are not benefitting from the oil fortunes Libya enjoys. A week is a long time in politics - and Ghaddafi has shown that he is prepared to kill his own nationals in order to hang on to power. The Maltese are friends with the Libyan people - not with their dictators. I propose that we strip Col Gaddafi of the Honours that Malta has honoured him with - as a sign of our displeasure at his present actions Dr Frank Portelli

Christian Sciberras

Feb 21st 2011, 16:07

I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that he doesn't seem to represent them at all.