Qatar spends €1.5m on Libyan aid purchases in Malta

Qatar has so far spent €1.5m on the purchase of supplies delivered to Libya as humanitarian aid, General Naser Alkaabi, a senior Qatari military official who heads his country's aid mission for Libya in Malta said.

Speaking in an interview, Gen Alkaabi said his country would continue using Malta as a hub for humanitarian aid to Libya for as long as necessary.

"As long as the Libyan people need our help, we are willing to provide assistance from Malta. 

General Alkaabi, who is assisted in Malta by a number of Qatari military officers, said his country began its humanitarian assistance to Libya about five months ago when the Qatari chief of military staff came to Malta for talks with the Prime Minister and the Commander of the Armed Forces.

"The two sides agreed to cooperate in providing humanitarian assistance to Libya and since then we have been sending supplies over such as food, medicine and ambulances.

"We signed a contract with Salvo Grima Group to supply us with food and mineral water for our weekly shipment to Libya with humanitarian aid. We have sent 13 shipments since we started, consisting of 2,000 tons of food and two tons of medicine and ambulances".

Malta and Qatar later signed an agreement for injured people and sick children to be brought over to Malta for treatment. 

General Alkaabi pointed out that the Qatari government funds the aid sent over to Libya, as well as the treatment of Libyan patients in Malta. The Qatari government has also covered the costs of looking after the families of Libyan patients in Malta.

"The aid is all paid for by the Qatari government and we have instructions to purchase all the supplies from the local market. Although some companies from other countries have told us they can provide us with certain items at a cheaper price, our government has instructed us to buy everything from Malta," he said.

The General said that Qatar had so far spent €1.5 million in Malta on humanitarian supplies and medical care for Libya and Libyan patients "and we are willing to spend more", adding that Qatar was also prepared to send doctors, nurses and medical equipment to Malta.

He believes relations between Malta and Qatar can only be strengthened as a result of their Libyan co-operation.

"From the beginning we knew there existed a strong relationship between Qatar and Malta and this was evident when we met the Prime Minister who was keen on strengthening ties even further. I am looking forward to High Highness the Emir visiting Malta which can only boost the already good relationship between the two countries."

Full story in The Times Business