The late President Emeritus Prof Guido de Marco once said there can be “No peace in the Mediterranean without peace in the Middle East, and no peace in Europe without peace in the Mediterranean”. Malta’s position at the heart of the Mediterranean, just 180 miles from Libya, gives her a unique insight into the Arab Spring. The crises in North Africa, in particular Libya, continue to have far-reaching implications for the peace and stability of the region and both our countries’ security.
I pay tribute… to Malta for her invaluable logistical support- William Hague
The bravery and sacrifice of the Maltese people during the Second World War is legendary, and an inspiration to all nations who face oppression and tyranny today; quite rightly she has the honour of being the first ever collective recipient of the George Cross. Prime Minister Cameron, speaking to the UK Parliament on February 28 at the start of the Libya Crisis, referred back to this honour when he said, “Not for the first time in our history, we should pay tribute to Malta and her people for the role that they are playing”. Yesterday I personally added my thanks to the Maltese government and authorities for the unwavering support and assistance given to us over the past nine months, particularly with the evacuation of over 500 British nationals. We were faced with a challenging situation but the close and successful cooperation between our two countries during such trying times demonstrated the special and durable relationship which we share.
Our governments remain committed to working together to assist the Libyan people to build a stronger future; helping them reconstruct their country after more than 40 years of dictatorial rule.
The hard work of this transformation is ongoing. On September 20 the National Transitional Council took up Libya’s seat at the United Nations General Assembly. Order has been restored in Benghazi and Tripoli as I saw when I visited with the Prime Minister on September 15, and the NTC has consolidated its hold on the vast majority of Libya’s territory.
However, not all Libya’s population is yet safe from attack. We will continue operations to enforce UNSCR 1973 for as long as is necessary at the request of the NTC, and with the authority of Security Council Resolution 2009 which was unanimously agreed on September 16 and which also established a new UN Support Mission in Libya.
British planes and attack helicopters have flown some 3,000 sorties across Libya and have damaged or destroyed some 1,000 former regime targets. Their precision targeting has minimised civilian casualties and saved countless lives, helping Libyans to gain their freedom. I pay tribute to them, to all our partners involved in the Nato operation, and to Malta for her invaluable logistical support – particularly on emergency landings.
We are supporting the NTC’s own plans for political transition in Libya, through the Friends of Libya group and the allocation of up to £20.6 million in UK funding for stabilisation, including the rule of law, police, elections, essential basic services and the removal of mines and unexploded ordnance.
The UK is determined to do all it can to support peaceful economic and political reform across the Middle East and North Africa through our Arab Partnership Initiative, the work of our Embassies and High Commissions, and our role in the European Union. Together with Malta we want to see policy turned into action so that the whole of Europe can act as magnets for change. The Arab Spring has brought conflict and uncertainty but it undoubtedly has the potential to bring about the greatest single advance in human freedom since the end of the Cold War.
The UK government will continue to defend human rights and support political and economic freedom, working closely with Malta and other allies, in the interests of peace and stability for the Mediterranean and the North African region.
Mr Hague is UK Foreign Secretary.