Gonzi-Cameron discuss humanitarian missions - Libya crisis entering new, delicate phase - 33 more Maltese on way back
Dr Gonzi at his press conference in the Auberge de Castille courtyard (Picture DOI)
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told a press conference this evening that the Libya crisis was entering a sensitive and delicate phase which may see an escalation with regard to the victims of violence.
This, he said, could see new humanitarian requirements from Malta.
"Malta remains close to the Libyan people and their aspirations", Dr Gonzi said.
He said that up to this evening Malta had concentrated its efforts on evacuation and 178 Maltese had been rescued, Another 33 were currently on their way to Malta.
It a appeared that there were 53 Maltese still in Libya, of whom 30 wanted to return and efforts were being made to repatriate them. The rest did not wish to return
The number of foreigners brought to Malta was almost 8,000 and this was expected to increase sharply in the coming days. They were nationals of 89 countries.
Visa and other requirements had been waived or reduced for greater efficiency.
Dr Gonzi thanked all Maltese departments and volunteers involved in the ongoing operation.
THE SITUATION IS 'VERY CRITICAL'
Dr Gonzi said the situation was very critical and could get more serious in the coming hours and days. Malta had to be prepared to receive thousands more people and Malta had to be prepared to give them medical and any other help.
He said the two Libyan pilots who had defected were awaiting a decision on their request for asylum. A request by Libya for the aircraft to be return had not been upheld and the aircraft were still here.
Malta, he said, would immediately abide by the UN sanctions agreed by the Security Council last night.
He said that violence should not deny the people of Libya their legitimate aspirations and the end of the Gaddafi government was therefore inevitable. Unless that happened there would be more innocent victims.
Malta wanted to see this region return to peace and stability as soon as possible, but the priority now was international coordinated action for humanitarian aid such as food and medicine to the Libyan people. Malta would do its duty in this regard.
MILITARY INVOLVEMENT
Dr Gonzi said Malta was not preparing itself as a military base and the requests it had received were only for humanitarian missions, which had brought back Maltese workers and not just foreigners. No requests for purely military operations were made.
MALTESE EMBASSY IN TRIPOLI
Dr Gonzi praised the Maltese embassy staff in Tripoli. He said that as security deteriorated, the government had decided that the ambassador should return but the embassy would remain open. It is being manned by two officials with instructions of what to do from an alternative site if the embassy was made to close. These officials would also be repatriated if necessary.
CONVERSATION WITH DAVID CAMERON
Dr Gonzi said he had a conversation with Prime Minister Cameron on Thursday on humanitarian missions to rescue workers in Libya.
On the Libyan plane that was denied landing permission, he said permission was denied because no flight plan was filed. He said the information the government had was that the plane carried pilots to fly the Libyan Mirages back to Libya.
On Air Malta, Dr Gonzi said the government and the airline were constantly considering whether or not more flights should be operated to Libya, depending on security considerations.
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Melvyn Mifsud LLD
Feb 28th 2011, 15:56
I never had reason to regret having backed Lawrence Gonzi, when he contested the posts of Secretary Geneal, Vici Kap and leader of the Party. Having voted for him and working openly in favour of his candidature. Even more so today.
The expression of Par Idejn Sodi really befits our Premier in such a crisis.
Calling a spade a spade - in no uncertain terms.
Even leading where our nations may have feared to go.
When the going gets tough .... the tough get going.
Our Premier and Vice Premier have set an example to other European countries - depicting our true democratic credentials . And also that we may be small in size ... but not in our Faith - Hope and Charity.
The Premier's speech and actions make feel proud of being Maltese.
Now, even more do I understand what EU membership is all about. This is also well understood by our leaders.
wally vella-zarb
Feb 28th 2011, 11:07
There is no doubt that Gaddafi will go. The problem is 'how' he will do so. All indications would point at his going down 'with all guns blazing' which would cause an even greater bloodbath. If there is even the remotest chance that mediation can avoid having this mess practically on our doorstep, it ought not to be dismissed out of hand. For our own sake as well as that of the Libyan people.
reno calleja
Feb 28th 2011, 07:21
i Strongly disagree with the sweeping statement by the Prime Minister that the end of Ghadafi is inevitable.
If he survives (and he is known to be a survivor) he will never forget what the Prime Minister of Malta, a close and friendly country, had to say about him when he was drowning.
The Prime Minister should have called for dialogue and mediation and not follow fobligindly what others, whose only interest is to get their hands on Libya's oil reserves, are saying.
I am also worried that we have British military planes in Malta with SAS troops on it, under the guise that they are on a humanitarian mission
. We are a neutral and noln-aligned state. A status that was instrumental in preventing any terrorist attack in Malta.
Nato may get involved and attack Tripoli if the rebels decide to close in on Tripoli.
SAS and other special forces are already in Libya. A blood bath seems to be inevitable because thousands of hard core Ghadaafi loyalists are not going to give up easily. Malta must not get involved.
Evarist Saliba
Feb 28th 2011, 09:26
Comments like yours are frightening. They justify the lingering fear that people who lived through the time when you were in power have towards a possibilty of "your'"return to power.
MSciberras
Feb 28th 2011, 10:38
What does it take for people such as KMB to call a spade a spade? You were so quick, in your time, to venerate Gadaffi, just because he was a source of cash. So quick to ignore his murderous regime, his direct responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of thousands in the wars he sponsored in Chad and other places, and now in his own country. I suppose all this can be justified in the name of realpolitik - the US and Britain bent over backwards to accomodate him after his 'rehabilitation', starting with Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. But please, there is a limit to even the most justified pragmatism. God forbid that Gaddafi 'survives'. With one-third of Libya's population in Tripoli, which Gadaffi still controls, you are perfectly right in saying he might survive. So does this mean we have to once again befriend Gadaffi in the name of business, our 'security', our fear of what the man can do? If this is your view of Malta's independence and sovereignty (and it is), sweetened by cheap talk of neutrality and non-alignment, which are totally irrelevant in today's context, as a Maltese I reject it.
Phil Humphries
Feb 28th 2011, 10:45
"...The Prime Minister should have called for dialogue and mediation.." - What ?!!!
(Overtly or otherwise) just about everyone has sought to mediate with Gaddafi, but it is abundantly clear that he thinks only of his own interests. He doesn't care about Malta, and even less about everyday Libyans.
And as for Libya's oil ? - Oil sales to the West (including Malta) should benefit the Libyan people and not just those favoured by Gaddafi. Hopefully, replacing Gaddafi will also see the end of Libyan-sponsored terroism and bring about more fruitful relations between Malta and Libya.
The World has changed in the last 40 years; move on man.
E.Farrugia
Feb 28th 2011, 02:23
I have been living in Canada for 40 years and always felt proud to be Maltese, but this
is the proudest moment of all,with all the humanitarian aid the Maltese populace is
giving to all these people from the 4 corners of the world.
Special praise goes to the great job the prime minister and his government is doing at
this time .
M Pisani
Feb 27th 2011, 23:32
Well said Mr.Borg. I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Gonzi for his impeccable leadership in such a tense moment. That is where all the difference lies...
A heartfelt thank you goes to all the Air Malta staff as well as the Police, AFM and paramedics for their continuous dedication and commitment.
M.Camilleri
Feb 27th 2011, 23:10
LET US MAKE SURE THAT ALL THOSE MALTESE WHO WANT TO RETURN TO MALTA WILL GET ALL THE NECESSARY HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
J.Borg
Feb 27th 2011, 22:29
If military involvement is needed Malta should definitely consider it. Maybe we can have some more vacancies in our Army following up on the Crises in libya ?
J.Borg
Feb 27th 2011, 22:29
If military involvement is needed Malta should definitely consider it. Maybe we can have some more vacancies in our Army following up on the Crises in libya ?
G A Bonello
Feb 27th 2011, 22:18
Malta does not need to be a military base as the US has one nearly larger than Malta only 5 minutes jet flight away in Sigonella
J Borg
Feb 27th 2011, 20:59
And that's where the 'Par idejn sodi' came into play. We should thank God that we have such a serious and cautious person leading our country in such a delicate time. The position of Prime Minister is not for amateurs.
Franco Farrugia
Feb 27th 2011, 22:40
I think it is despicable of you, whoever you are, to use this episode to strike a note in favour of your party. I think there was no need for that. I am sure that every PM would have risen to the occasion - at least, I hope so.
But it is true that the 'par idejn sodi' are felt very much in difficult situations such as this one. And I feel that the PM should be praised and supported by one and all in this very difficult situation.
M. Sciberras
Feb 27th 2011, 23:54
Amen to that.
Michael Andrews
Feb 28th 2011, 00:47
This is where common sense comes into play.
If Joseph Muscat or any other person were in the same position they would have done the exact same thing.
No-one in their right mind would do anything else.