Weather delays Mirages' departure
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
The much-expected return of the two Libyan air force jets to Libya from Malta has been delayed by the weather, in both Malta and Libya.
The jets were to fly off this morning, exactly on the anniversary since they arrived here unexpectedly after their pilots refused to bomb fellow Libyans in Benghazi.
The same pilots were this morning handed their helmets by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in a symbolic ceremony in the AFM Air Wing hangar.
The ceremony was attended by Libyan Health Minister Hamrush who said this was a moment of pride for the two nations. She thanked Malta for having taken the brave decision to keep the fighter jets in Malta during the uprising.
Dr Gonzi described the ceremony as an emotional one and said the departure of the jets was closing an important chapter in the histories of Libya and Malta.
He noted that Malta had taken tough decisions in giving shelter to the defecting pilots at the same time as an Air Malta aircraft was on the tarmac in Tripoli. Malta had also refused to receive a Libyan delegation which had been coming to Malta to reclaim the jets, 24 hours after the Mirages arrived. This was at a time when the UN had still not decided on any sanctions against Libya, he said.
Today's ceremony, he said, was also a tribute to the courage of those two pilots who were a symbol of the courage of the Libyan people who rose and fought for their freedom.
He said Malta and Libya shared common values, including respect for human dignity. This ceremony, he said, also marked the opening of a new chapter of relations between the two countries.
AFM Commander Martin Xuereb said the AFM had been prepared to ensure that Gaddafi forces were not allowed to fly the aircraft from Malta. He said the pilots were a symbol of defiance and he was pleased that the AFM had played an important role in this issue - also hosting and protecting the pilots.
This morning's ceremony was also attended by members of the Libyan community in Malta waving placards in support of the uprising.
The two jets have undergone intensive maintenance which was concluded yesterday with high speed engine tests.
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Alfred Falzon
Feb 21st, 17:40
Why should some of my compatriots have to indulge in double-talk and act irresponsibly on such an auspicious occasion?
They may not share the same piece of mind with regard to local politics but they are duty bound to call a spade a spade and acknowledge that what Dr Lawrence Gonzi's Government did in the course of the Libyan Uprising was righteous and supported by a moral premise.
Yes, this time round, Dr Gonzi was right from start to finish and deserves our sympathy in solidarity with the oppressed people of Libya who lost over 50,000 dead and suffered at least 20,000 injured or maimed for life during ruthless Kadhafi's military crackdown on his people.
We may not agree with Dr Gonzi on various controversial matters in the course of this legislature but, at least, on this particular occasion, his wise judgement warrants a pat on the back and the Maltese people's appreciation for the way he stuck to his democratic beliefs throughout the tragic fate that struck our North African and Arab neighbour!
Thank you, Dr Gonzi, for respecting Malta's great humanitarian tradition and remaining true to your people's values!
I am not a Nationalist supporter but I am above all MALTESE irrespective of the party in Government!
Alfred A. Falzon
Fran Abela
Feb 21st, 16:19
Wow - J. Brincat is breaking all records for commenting obviously all in a very negative way. I say again, I am sorry for you Mr. Brincat - you are certainly a very unhappy man.
Leonard Cole
Feb 21st, 14:46
The irony of all such comments is the mentality, surprisingly also of people in high society that all is politics or comical. No respect is showed to those who were caught up in Libya when the war started, others which had to be rescued from the desert and transferred to Egypt.
Yes these pilots showed responsibility in their actions and Malta responsibility in all the decision which have been taken.
If there was something so Comical I am sure everyone would be having a laugh, especially fellow Maltese workers who got caught in Libya when the revolution started.
Well done to the Government and Good Luck to the mirage fighters
j brincat
Feb 21st, 14:03
@Giovanni Rizzo
"Looks like they belong here after all"
Who needs them!
(jb)
j brincat
Feb 21st, 14:00
@Godfrey Grima
" and their crews are a symbol of how and when they are to be used - to defend one's own, not for "killing"
That I agree without any doubt.
It's just the ceremonies that don't convince me especially when currently we are inundated with one thousand and one problems. Look at Air Malta!
(jb)
j brincat
Feb 21st, 13:55
@Joseph bartolo
"or machines that can be used to save the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians my friend"
AND kill as many, too!
(jb)
j brincat
Feb 21st, 13:54
@Mr Joe Micallef
"You weren't much concerned when Gaddafi owned them! Ta dahk … le le tal biki!"
You know very well that I used to say that I stopped loving Gaddafi the day he sent his gunboats against us!
If you forgot, then it's not my fault.
(jb)
j brincat
Feb 21st, 13:50
@S.M. Cuschieri
"Pls take a break JB!!! Do not bring politics into this. It was a tough decision on Malta this time exactly last year"
Do you call sitting on the wall indefinitely as a tough decision? Then you need to redefine 'tough'!
(jb)
Mark Seychell
Feb 21st, 18:11
You know how horses have there peripheral vision covered when travelling amongst automotive traffic? You, Brincat, are the same. You can only see in one direction
j brincat
Feb 21st, 13:47
@J Busuttil
"j.brincat take a break this event is not a simple walk in a car park"
Of course not. It's a photo session!
(jb)
j brincat
Feb 21st, 13:46
@George Calleja
"Li kieku kien ghal siehbek Joseph Malta m'ghamlet xejn biex tghin lil poplu Libjan"
Now let us see you prove your statement!
(jb)
Mark Seychell
Feb 21st, 18:09
Simple. Timesofmalta.com have a very handy archive. Look through the press releases regarding Libya released by the PL in the past year, or lack thereof, and come back to comment.
Carmel Garcia
Feb 21st, 13:45
Bis-serjeta? Mela m'ghandux x'jaghmel il-Prim Ministru f'kastilja, biex mar jahli l-hin jaghti zewg helmets lil zewg piloti?
Joseph Gatt
Feb 21st, 13:27
Gonzi is so full of it. period.
carmel muscat
Feb 21st, 13:23
nixtieq min qalbi nawguralkom vjagg lura lejn il libya xtaqt hafna li kiku kelli ix xorti li nerga nati l oxygen liz zewg mirages bhall ma ghamilt ghal hafna zmien -- - - -- - -- - -
Charles Zammit
Feb 21st, 13:05
Some comments here about the cermony being comical gives the adage The Chemist Dispenses what he's got a very apt one .
Angus Black
Feb 21st, 13:49
Insensitive, unfair and unfriendly comments, Mr Zammit.
The adage you quoted, actually applies to you and your ilk.
Franco Attard Trevisan
Feb 21st, 13:04
So if i understood well, these fighter jets can't fly if it's raining??
Apart from this, I think the story of these planes has been over stretched now... just get them out of here and let's get it over and done with...
pretty soon they'll be on the way for the next mission...
Joseph bartolo
Feb 21st, 12:51
Next time I invade a country I will surely do it on a rainy day when they cant defend themselves
Giovanni Rizzo
Feb 21st, 12:01
Looks like they belong here after all.
vella m
Feb 21st, 11:53
Go in peace and make Love not War.
Monica Pulis
Feb 21st, 11:24
dottore bezzina, tista tghidli what' s so comical?
Alfred Falzon
Feb 21st, 11:22
TWO LIBYAN PILOTS' TRIBUTE TO THEIR COUNTRY'S FREEDOM FIGHTERS AND FALLEN HEROES
Since time immemorial Malta has always provided a safe haven to those who stood up against tyranny.
Libya's heroic freedom fighters are no exception and we welcomed with open arms the two heroic pilots who
refused to butcher their own people on orders from the Kadhafi regime!
To the FREE people of Libya we wish a speedy recovery from their traumatic experience and a fast return to normality through reconciliation, social justice and the respect of fundamental human rights as befits a civilised and democratic country to which the downtrodden people of Libya have long been aspiring.
The two pilots who, at great risk, sought political asylum in Malta rather than spill the blood of their brothers and sisters, who even sacrificed their beloved families' security in the course of the Uprising against a ruthless and corrupt regime, have set a shining example of patriotism and integrity which will long be recalled in letters of gold in the annals of their country's history!
The FREE LIBYANS should now do their utmost to emulate their heroic act and renounce all vile attempts at a return to despicable practices and impositions liable to turn the clock back, thus depriving their children of their inalienable right to a secure future in peace, harmony and social well-being!
The civilised world rejoices together with the two brave pilots in watching them take to flight like birds longing for FREEDOM and head for their beloved country for which they were ready to pay such a high price!
Alfred A. Falzon
j brincat
Feb 21st, 11:16
"The same pilots were this morning handed their helmets by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in a symbolic ceremony in the AFM Air Wing hangar"
Lately, neither the PM nor his ministers are losing one single opportunity for some PR.
Didn't Dr Gonzi state that the general election will be held when due i.e. Y2013!
(jb)
J Busuttil
Feb 21st, 11:41
j.brincat take a break this event is not a simple walk in a car park.
George Calleja
Feb 21st, 12:21
Veru m'ghandekx x'taghmel dan l-ahhar. Dejjem trid tmaqdar dak kollu li jsir mill-Prim Ministru u l-gvern tieghu. Li kieku kien ghal siehbek Joseph Malta m'ghamlet xejn biex tghin lil poplu Libjan.
S.M. Cuschieri
Feb 21st, 12:43
Pls take a break JB!!! Do not bring politics into this. It was a tough decision on Malta this time exactly last year. Have some decency to comment properly.
Fran Abela
Feb 21st, 13:13
Yes Mr. Brincat - we are seeing the PM et all quite often, but then so are we seeing Dr. Joseph Muscat quite often too ! Try and instil a bit of optimisim in your daily criticism of government, etc. - you are so so very negative. I do pity you, you seem such an unhappy person.
Reinhard Azzopardi
Feb 21st, 13:15
Are you sure that you live in the same country as us J Brincat?
the PM and his ministers are not losing one single opportunity for PR eh? Mela what is Joseph Muscat doing? For Christ's sakes, mar jaghmel show bhal dak f'car park fil-hamrun! Car park li ma kellu x'jaqsam xejn mal-partit laburista!
j brincat
Feb 21st, 11:13
Who cares!
These are killing machines.
(jb)
Mr Joe Micallef
Feb 21st, 12:06
Yes we know you are!
Mr Joe Micallef
Feb 21st, 12:08
You are really incredible!
You weren't much concerned when Gaddafi owned them! Ta dahk … le le tal biki!
Godfrey Grima
Feb 21st, 12:15
So are the guns carried by our armed forces and the police. Unfortunately we do not live in Utopia and therefore these "killing machines" are necessary for our protection. If anything, Mr/Miss Brincat, these Mirages and their crews are a symbol of how and when they are to be used - to defend one's own, not for "killing".
Joseph bartolo
Feb 21st, 12:49
or machines that can be used to save the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians my friend
or do you make ommelettes without breaking the eggs ????
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Feb 21st, 10:54
Part of Malta`s Comic Scenes.........................
Dunstan Crockford
Feb 21st, 11:06
Dottore,could you kindly explain what was so comical..I really need a good laugh in this lousy weather! Perhaps the death of so many innocent and not so innocent people? Please share!
Alfred Falzon
Feb 21st, 11:28
Shame on you !
You should know better!
Alfred A. Falzon
Alan Cordina
Feb 21st, 12:14
Oh Go On Dottore !!! please don't leave us like this !!! come on, make us fall out of our chairs with laughter !!! after getting drenched waiting to see them off, I really need to go hysterical !! ha ha ha ha ha ha !!! ..... ejja Kuragg !!!! :)
S.M. Cuschieri
Feb 21st, 12:41
I cant understand the so called comical side Dr. Emmanuel Bezzina MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D., Please enlighten me, I do not have your letters after my name. I am just a humble government worker. Maybe silly silly me cant see the funny side of your comical scene? ;P
Anthony A. Mifsud
Feb 21st, 16:21
Veru fatt. I fully agree dottore. Is solitu Farsa
Toni
Mark Seychell
Feb 21st, 18:05
No matter the amount of qualifications you add to your name, Bezzina, your comments never ever impress.
A Dimech
Feb 21st, 10:53
"He said Malta and Libya shared common values, including respect for human dignity. " Dr Gonzi said...
I thought Libya is passing through a very dark moment where people are being tortured and held in prison without trial!!! That is what Amnesty international is saying!!
I haven't seen/hears of a lot of respect to the human dignity from Libya as yet. Gonzi should be careful not to condon what is going on!!
marco caruana
Feb 21st, 10:46
ma nafx ghala dan it- tejatrin u mutetti !! jista xi hadd ifhemni ???
Mr Joe Micallef
Feb 21st, 12:07
ghadek zighr!
G Vella
Feb 21st, 10:44
A pity. They should have been scrapped. These machines of destruction can never be used for a humanitarian purpose.
Francis Sammut
Feb 21st, 10:36
What's this about the weather? In my humble opinion, I thought that this aircraft is an all weather, fighter-bomber/ interceptor!
Henry Spiteri
Feb 21st, 12:53
@Francis Sammut
Yes it is an all weather fighter-bomber interceptor, but to avoid unecessary damage they can wait until the weather clears.
Mario Micallef
Feb 21st, 10:27
SAFE RETURN TO MITIGA TO THE 2 HEROIC PILOTS.
Tony Sciberras
Feb 21st, 10:47
well said
john pritchard
Feb 21st, 12:14
Safe return indeed, but why the delay surely Mirage Jets can takeoff in the rain.