The Labour Party this evening held a Muslim Iftar - the evening meal which breaks fasting by Muslims during Ramadan.

The event - the first of its kind organised by a Maltese political party, was attended by Imam Mohammad El Saadi and Mgr Joe Vella Gauci, the Maltese representative to the Commission of the Conference of European Bishops.

Party leader Joseph Muscat said the PL was a secular party in a predominantly Christian society, with the majority of its members being Catholic, but it embraced the diversity of Maltese and foreigners having different beliefs.

The PL was open to all people who believed in social justice, as evidenced by its new statute.

Dr Muscat said he expected that the PL would be criticised  for its initiative to hold this ceremony, but this strengthened the party as an organisation which wanted to bring down barriers and believed in a society which respected everyone.

Dr Muscat also spoke on the conflict in Libya and said the friendship between the two countries had to be based on friendship between the two peoples and on trade.