Malta to return fighters to Libya 'soon'
Malta will return two Mirage fighter jets to Libya soon, after they were flown to the island by defecting pilots in February.
The Arab News newspaper reported Foreign Minister Tonio Borg saying the fighters would be returned to Libya 'soon' when he was questioned during a press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The fighters were flown to Malta when their pilots refused to bomb compatriots in Benghazi early in the Libyan uprising. They returned to Libya shortly after Tripoli was liberated while their fighters remain immobilised at Malta airport.
Dr Borg in his press conference said he was calling on the Arab League and the European Union to strengthen the process of dialogue within the framework of the Malta-based EU-Arab League liaison office.
He said that in his talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal he discussed the need for such Arab League-EU collaboration at great length.
Europe and the Arab world had yet to establish an effective, permanent forum for political and economic dialogue, despite multiple attempts to do so.
“The liaison office can play a more effective role following the recent developments in the Middle East and this office can eventually become the focal point for dialogue and regional summits,” Dr Borg said.
The talks also included bilateral, regional and international issues including Libya and Tunisia.
During his visit to Saudi Arabia Dr Borg signed a cooperation agreement on the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime and a treaty on the avoidance of double taxation.
15 companies currently registered with the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) have Saudi shareholding.
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Joseph Stafrace
Jan 4th, 16:25
Stick to your dreams Mr. Moser and let the diplomats do their job.
Andreas Moser
Jan 4th, 15:08
I volunteer to fly one of them back.
Peter Murray
Jan 4th, 10:14
Why have we kept these fighter jets so long-are we receiving hangar fees for them?The Libyans must hope and pray that Dr.Borg does not subscribe to the MFSA lexicon with this "soon" promise to return these jets ,as that entity's take on word definition such as "imminent" when pledging to publish the results of investigations levelled against BoV's role and function into the La Valette Fund debacle-leaves a lot to be desired .
Jo Camm
Jan 4th, 11:45
Mr Murray, you do not seem to know how such things are done.
Min ma jifhimx ihalli f'idejn min jifhem, mhux jghaddi kummenti frivoli!
Peter Murray
Jan 4th, 19:02
Thats why we have erudite and well-informed people in the know like you to educate a cuc like me.Thank you for magnanimously showing a poor wretch the error of his ways -I am forever indebted .Your obedient servant (whilst tugging his forelock in gratitude).Could you kindly provide the true delineation of "imminent "and "soon" please -O gracious font of all knowledge?