Inspectors will certify 'Libya' tanker is empty
Video: Paul Spiteri Lucas
Last updated at 11.43 p.m.
Oiltanking Malta said this evening that independent experts would certify that an oil tanker which anti-Gaddafi protesters claim is heading for Libya, will leave Malta empty.
The ship's owners also insisted that the ship would not head for Libya.
The assurances came as the group of anti-Gaddafi Libyans protesters went to court in an attempt to stop the departure from Malta Freeport of the tanker Mubariz Ibrahimov, which they claim will carry oil to Libya. Magistrate Abigail Lofaro put off a decision by 24 hours to enable the Attorney General to reply. She also requested the protesters to explain their request.
Talks were also being held at the freeport between the protesters and representatives of the ship owners and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the owners seeking to assure the protesters that the ship would not go to Libya.
The tanker belongs to the Palmali Group of Turkey.
In a statement, Oiltanking said: "To our best of knowledge none of the vessels berthed at the Oiltanking Malta Terminal have Libya as their next port of call."
The tanker 'Mubariz Ibrahimov" rrived from Port Kavkaz (Russia), discharging full quantity in Malta and is due to depart, empty, for the Baltic, Oiltanking said.
Police Inspector Priscilla Caruana told the protesters that the Mubariz Ibrahimov had come from Russia and was scheduled to head for the Black Sea, in ballast, this evening.
However, the Libyans insisted that the ship should not be allowed to leave port at any cost. They claimed that it would be impossible to ensure that it was totally emptied and by keeping it in Malta, thousands of lives in Libya would be saved.
Earlier today, the Libyans had said they were considering holding a protest over the presence in Malta of Yahya Ibrahim Gaddafi, a senior official of a Libyan state-owned oil company.
The Libyan Youth Movement said on Twitter that Mr Gaddafi was in Malta today seeking $5 million worth of fuel to be shipped illegally to Libya.
On Facebook, the Libyan Solidarity Movement said that Gaddafi was sending his officials to many countries to try and "buy" fuel.
"We kindly urge the Maltese government to please stop these criminals from executing their blood deals in Malta."
Later, it appealed to the government to investigate the Mubariz Ibrahimov and to forbid it from leaving Malta until a guarantee was given that it would not sail to Libya.
Libyans in Malta claimed that Mr Gaddafi arrived yesterday to secure oil shipments to Libya from private sources.
Col Gaddafi's forces are said to have suffered oil shortages after rebels captured the oil rich east of the country, including many storage tanks. Those areas, however, are now back under government control.
A tanker said to be on its way to the Gaddafi forces was intercepted by the rebels on Tuesday.
The Anwar Afriqiya, which allegedly belongs to Hanibaal Gaddafi , was berthed in Tobruk with 25,000 tons of fuel on board.
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17 Comments
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s bugeja
Mar 18th 2011, 21:18
why should the land of oil buy oil??!!
M. Fenech
Mar 17th 2011, 21:49
I have one big curiosity, who's tipping off these Libyans in Malta? Why don't they leave us alone, and go and fight their war in their country! We don't need all this. We've already drew the attention of many foreign countries with the divorce issue, and we are getting into all this! By the way, where is that wise,catholic and intelligent guy, who some weeks ago said that 'Gaddafi's days are over'! I think it's better that he brings in his advisors, especially the Bidnija ones, and make a good plan, cause Gaddafi is back!! Probably John Dalli was correct in his statement!
Joseph Schembri
Mar 17th 2011, 21:47
We are neutral in the sense that we do blind-sightedly side with some country, be it UK, USA, Russia, or any other. But that's all.
It doesn't mean not taking a position. It doesn't mean not trying to defend who we believe is oppressed.
What many people believe is Neutrality in Malta, is to sit and wait, and then side with the winner. I'm sorry, but that's just hypocritical.
John J Schranz
Mar 17th 2011, 21:30
Why so few comments on this? Are we dormant to the tragedy?
The UN promulgated a string of sanctions in an effort at stopping the bloodbath. Those sanctions were strengthened by more stringent ones, aimed to stop the regime's viciousness.
Our government declared that regime to be illegitimate. It did what the European Union did, and the Arab League, the USA, Russia, China, the UN and the UN Secretary General himself.
In the face of such sanctions profound considerations must be made before anything is done that could back a regime led by a man whose name (like those of his family members) was forcefully referred to the ICC.
I'm sure our government IS making its profound considerations. It is in duty bound to make them. While it finalises ALL considerations necessary our government is in duty bound to prohibit this ship's departure. It is unthinkable to allow the ship to depart BEFORE those considerations are finalised. It is futile locking the stable after the horse bolts.
It's human beings like me and you are being bombed and shot with antiaircraft shells.
Jan Farrugia
Mar 17th 2011, 19:36
If we are truly neutral, we should stop any shipments of war material, including fuel from reaching any war region. We cannot let Malta be used by a warring party. Or are we on Gaddafi's payroll...or hypocrites..........or what.........................?
J.Mifsud
Mar 17th 2011, 19:25
Was this oil coming from Russia. No wonder Russia is stopping UN from declaring a no fly zone on Lybia.
V Cassar
Mar 17th 2011, 22:55
Arrived from Port Kavkaz (Russia), discharging full quantity in Malta and departing EMPTY
....guess that says it all.
We shouldn't let these demonstrators terrorising our commerce partners....
Gerard Cassar
Mar 17th 2011, 19:07
Will please Libyans' in Malta not to interfer in Maltese affairs. Go to your country and defend what you think is your duty to defend. Malta is neutral and don't compromise its neutrality.
The Maltese authorities know what must be and can be done in such circumstances.
R Saliba
Mar 17th 2011, 21:21
How is Malta neutral?
Michael Vella
Mar 17th 2011, 19:05
Ara vera the EU and the UN are two absolutely useless and spineless institutions!
The EU is brilliant at coming up with fancy laws about the most trivial things we do in our country, yet are powerless to do anything to stop a maniac at it's borders! (oh, and we have a bunch of useless MEPs that appear once every five years in the hope that they keep their incredibly good income for coming up with these useless regulations)
The UN, whose supposed role is to keep world peace, has not been able to do a single thing about a single conflict going on in the world right now! The list is endless...and is not limited to cases of conflict. Not exactly a shining beacon of success, is it now?
As they discuss, talk and have a jolly good old time off our backs, thousands of people are being massacred by a crazy lunatic just south of our country! They keep discussing and giving themselves this aura of self-importance when they are simply a bunch of pathetic good for nothings on a fat salary with all expenses covered.
Why do they not act when people really want them to act?
C Ebejer
Mar 17th 2011, 18:37
so what.....he is buying the fuel not stealing it.
Corinne Vella
Mar 17th 2011, 21:28
Whether the fuel is paid for is not the point. The objection is to supply of fuel to a murderous regime.
M Vella
Mar 17th 2011, 18:04
From Twitter:
ShababLibya LibyanYouthMovement
Yahia Ibrahim al Gaddafi was in Malta today seeking USD 5 Million of fuel to be shipped illegally to Libya
jacqueline brincat
Mar 17th 2011, 19:16
Pls Maltese GOV. Don't shame us any further! We are already ashamed of how E.U. is tackling this problem. Otherwise, what is democracy? Human rights/freedom of speech??? Just a farce?? PLEASE, make us proud. In your opinion, divorce is 'uncatholic'. How about letting innocent people die or even worse...tortured???? PLEASE!!
wally vella-zarb
Mar 17th 2011, 19:19
Why "illegally"?
David Buttigieg
Mar 17th 2011, 21:10
@Wally Vella Zarb
Maybe you haven't heard - there are sanctions in place!!
Kborg
Mar 17th 2011, 21:55
@ David
Do you know on what the sanctions are?The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution imposing sanctions on Libya, including an arms embargo against the country and a travel ban and asset freeze against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his key family members.
What has fuel got to do with this?
Please choose the reason of your report below: