Illegal migration: Malta appeals to international community for assistance

Malta has appealed to the international community for assistance in dealing with the current influx of illegal immigrants.

In an appeal during an intervention at a London meeting for international powers to discuss Libya, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said that the international community in general and the European Union in particular could not ignore the illegal migration problem, caused by the conflict.

Malta, he said, was united with Italy and other countries in their appeal for solidarity with the affected countries.

Between yesterday and today, Malta has received 816 sub-Saharan immigrants, who came on three boats from Libya.

During his intervention, Dr Borg said that Malta wanted the aspirations of the Libyan people to be implemented and it wanted to help in the country’s democratic development.

Malta also wanted to continue giving humanitarian assistance and it was willing to help cure injured personnel.

The meeting was opened by British Prime Minister David Cameron and was attended by more than 40 delegations, including from seven Arab states and the Arab League.

There was also the secretary general of the United Nations Ban Ki Moon and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who thanked Malta for the assistance offered in the evacuation of US nationals from Libya.