No immediate EU move to recognise Libya rebels - Borg

Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said this afternoon that there does not appear to be a concerted EU move to grant diplomatic recognition to the rebels in Libya, despite France having done so this morning.

Speaking after a foreign ministers' working lunch in Brussels ahead of a summit meeting on Libya today, Dr Borg said that one could not say what would happen in the future, but in any case, recognition of a government did not mean that one approved of its actions.

Dr Borg said that while some countries were calling for the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya, there also appeared to be recognition within EU circles that this should be mandated by the United Nations in particular and operated by the Arab League.

He said the sanctions officially announced by the EU today were the same as announced two days ago. Malta had ensured in the drafting of the sanctions that they did not impact on the day-to-day operations of companies having Libyan shareholding, in order to safeguard jobs.

Dr Borg said that Malta remained politically against military action against Libya and was legally bound by the constitution not to be used for any military action. At the same time, it remained ready to offer whatever humanitarian assistance was required, to all parties.