Maltese businesses are operating in Benghazi and a number of businessmen have met with Malta’s special envoy to the opposition-controlled city, Victor Camilleri, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg told The Times Business yesterday.

Dr Borg also said that Malta is considering the full recognition of the Benghazi-based Libyan Transitional National Council, the opposition movement which controls Eastern Libya and parts of Western Libya.

Last week the Maltese government recognised the council as “the sole legitimate interlocutor of the Libyan people”, which is the same recognition given to the Libyan opposition by Britain and the US.

Soon after the government’s decision Malta sent Ambassador Victor Camilleri, a retired diplomat, to Benghazi to meet the Libyan Transitional Council. Mr Camilleri was still in Benghazi yesterday and is expected back today, Dr Borg said.

“Mr Camilleri will report to House Foreign Affairs Committee, accompanied by myself, upon his return from Benghazi. While in Benghazi Mr Camilleri met Mustafa Abdul Jalil, chairman of the National Transitional Council as well as a number of Maltese businessmen who are still based there and continue to trade normally. He also attended a meeting of the 10 EU heads of mission in Benghazi,” Dr Borg said.

Dr Borg said Malta was preparing to open a liaison office in Benghazi. The Foreign Minister spoke to The Times Business from Qatar – where he discussed humanitarian cooperation over Libya – as he was about to leave for Abu Dhabi for a meeting of the Libya contact group.

Meanwhile the European Union yesterday announced that six Libyan ports have been added to a list of businesses hit by an asset freeze, covering facilities in Tripoli, Al Khoms, Brega, Ras Lanuf, Zawia and Zuwara. All six ports are controlled by the Muammar Gaddafi regime.