Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this evening that the repatriation of Maltese from Libya was the government's number one priority and came above all other considerations.

Speaking in a statement in Parliament, Dr Gonzi said that he today had a second meeting with Maltese investors in Libya, and it was agreed that the repatriation of those who wished to return to Malta was the overwhelming priority, but the government would also do all it could to safeguard Maltese investment.

Dr Gonzi thanked the Maltese embassy staff, Air Malta and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and said that flights carried out so far from Tripoli had picked up all Maltese who were at the airport. and another flight would be operated tomorrow. A helpline set up by the Foreign Ministry had handled more than 500 calls.

He said that a group of nine Maltese workers who had been stranded in the desert at Waha had managed to drive towards Tripoli and were currently out of the desert and in a hotel. Another group was in another part of the desert. Since a runway was near by, arrangements were being made for a private flight to take them out.

With the airport in Benghazi having been bombed and made unoperational, the authorities were also working to rescue 11 Maltese in the East of Libya from the port of Benghazi, Dr Gonzi said.

As for individual Maltese in various parts of Libya, arrangements were being made with other governments so that these too could be assisted.

In his statement Dr Gonzi expressed Malta's condemnation of the violence seen in the past few days and insisted that fundamental human rights and the legitimate aspirations of the people should be respected.

Opposition leader Joseph Muscat condemned the violence and the violation of human rights in Libya and said the Opposition backed the difficult decisions being taken by the government.

He said the two sides had been in touch and had been sharing information.

Dr Muscat also thanked Air Malta and the AFM for their service.

Dr Gonzi thanked the Opposition for its backing.