There are moves within the European Union on the possibility of imposing sanctions on defiant Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi but it seems the big majority of member states disagree.
A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry last night denied reports, emanating from Brussels, that Malta and Italy were the only two EU countries opposing the move.
“Twenty-five countries are objecting and only two are in favour of sanctions,” the spokesman insisted.
According to the reports, some EU countries, notably Germany and Finland, called for sanctions against Col Gaddafi during talks in Brussels on Monday between foreign ministers of the 27-nation bloc.
One proposal on the table was a travel ban and assets freeze against the Libyan leader and his inner circle, said an EU diplomat who asked to remain anonymous.
“If Gaddafi keeps killing people the way he has it’s a necessity to do something,” he said. “Sanctions must be discussed in this situation, otherwise it would be contrary to European policies.”
Another option would be to suspend negotiations between Libya and the EU that began in 2008 to agree a first-ever special two-way partnership.
But diplomats told AFP news agency Italy and Malta objected, with Cyprus too apparently cautioning against any such move. Malta is denying this.
Malta became the centre of worldwide attention on Monday night when two jet fighters defected after being ordered to shoot civilians and carried out an emergency landing on the island.
There were persistent reports yesterday that a boat full of Libyan nationals, possibly soldiers who had defected, was heading towards Malta. The Armed Forces of Malta denied monitoring any ships anchored off the island. International media reports said a Libyan warship carrying soldiers who had defected was being closely watched by the Italian frigate Fenice.
The government denied two more fighter jets were on their way to Malta. Meanwhile, diplomatic sources said the Libyan government had asked the Maltese government for the planes that landed on Monday to be returned. Here too, when contacted, a government spokes-man simply said: “The government is evaluating the situation in the context of what happened yesterday (Monday).”
Italy, already struggling to cope with an exodus of Tunisian refugees, and Malta are worried Col Gaddafi could allow tens of thousands of irregular African migrants in Libya to leave for Europe.
With its 2,000-kilometre shoreline and 4,000 kilometres of land borders with six African nations, Libya plays host to hundreds of thousands of would-be migrants desperate for passage across the Mediterranean to Europe.
It is also to be borne in mind that a number of European countries have major economic stakes in the north African nation, including French and Italian oil giants Total and ENI.
“Slapping sanctions on Gaddafi might simply reinforce his nationalist stand (and) give the impression that the democratic movement in his country is coordinated overseas,” said a diplomat who asked not to be identified.
The priority is to evacuate European nationals, said another source.
On Tuesday, several European countries, including France, Germany and the Netherlands, announced the dispatch of military transport plans to repatriate their citizens. Belgian Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere said “the hour is not right for flexing muscles. If the situation deteriorates there will be time to draw the proper conclusions.”