An event to remember

On February 17, 2011, a militia group made up of armed citizens took to the streets and spearheaded the civil war in Libya.

We could have become directly involved in the (Libyan) conflict- Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici

The conflict, which left tens of thousands dead and a severely damaged infrastructure in major towns and cities across the country, came to an end when Muammar Gaddafi and members of his regime, including his own family, were ousted.

I was immediately called to task and set up the Government Contingency Centre first in my office and then at Castille. For the duration of the conflict, I chaired this centre, ensuring that all decisions that had to be taken were taken in good time and with the best advice readily available around the table.

Day in, day out I guided representatives of the highest offices in Malta ensuring that all events were closely monitored as they unfolded on a daily basis. It was inevitable that the problems stemming from the revolt would have had a negative direct impact on us if we had not taken the necessary precautions and actions.

Despite Malta’s close proximity to the area of conflict and the inherent dangers and risks, the Maltese government decided to take a proactive stance towards addressing the challenge it was facing. We stated our concern to the warring parties while concurrently encouraging all our EU partners to engage with a view to gaining a deeper understanding of the implications of the escalating risks of war.

Some countries from all over the world fully understood the underlying realities as soon as a number of their nationals, mainly workers caught in the cross hairs of the revolution, started to flee the country through Malta.

Malta immediately organised humanitarian assistance opera­tions to evacuate Maltese and Gozitan nationals from Libya as well as others from many different countries. As a result of its numerous successful tasks, our island was soon described by many as the good Samaritan of the Mediterranean.

Organising sea and air transport for the exodus of thousands fleeing the unrest in Libya was no easy task. However, through well planned, organised and spontaneous coordinated efforts, health reception facilities were set up at various strategic disembarkation points around the island in order to greet and serve the needs of arriving evacuees. A number of government departments and agencies were involved in these operations.

I am proud to say that three of the main stakeholders involved in the success of the crisis fell under my direct ministerial control.

The Malta Security Service, often in the background of all operations, once again rose to the occasion and surpassed itself in its dedication and results that steered Malta effectively through very delicate waters. They have contributed in no small way to Malta’s reputation and standing after the conflict.

The Malta Police Force, with a special mention of the immigration police, worked tirelessly day and night ensuring that the right balance was struck between the safe evacuation of Maltese and other nationals and national security considerations and EU obligations. Like the MSS, their dedication to the cause was outstanding.

One must not forget to mention Omas, responsible for the security of the airport, that was available at all times with issues such as the emergency landing of military jets that was unchartered territory for Malta until this time.

Another key player was the Civil Protection Department whose functions include the preparation of contingency plans to respond to a disaster and to natural, industrial and other emergencies that may occur. It is also responsible to raise public awareness of civil protection issues, maintenance and assistance and rescue force and to perform any other functions that may be assigned to it in the field of civil protection.

No one, though, could have ever predicted that the Libyan crisis and its inherent complex challenges would ever feature so prominently among the wide array of the department’s responsibilities.

Despite the fact that the crisis took the country by surprise, the CPD members were, nevertheless, very well prepared. Their cooperartion with persons holding key positions in various sectors played a crucial role in conducting their duties smoothly.

The task of coordinating to assure the provision of required supplies, preparing designated sites to cope with the large numbers of evacuees that were expected to arrive, coordinating with voluntary organisations and making the necessary preparations for all that lay ahead were the order of the day.

It is worth recalling that, initially, we were told that about 100,000 evacuees would be seeking our assistance by reaching our shores. This figure alone was the cause of the countless sleepless nights I went through, much to the direct detriment of my health.

The dust now appears to be almost settling. We have shared some of their difficult moments.

The risks that were at stake as a result of our policies throughout the Libyan crisis cannot go unnoticed. Our tourism and economy could have suffered a damaging blow. Maltese and Gozitans could have been killed. We could have become directly involved in the conflict. We could have faced the worst humanitarian crisis in the history of our island.

Fortunately, however, through our unfailing efforts, this tragedy did not materialise.

I feel obliged to highlight the role of the departments under my ministerial responsibility without lessening the role of other players namely the Defence Directorate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Armed Forces of Malta, Malta Air Traffic Services, the Civil Aviation Directorate, Transport Malta, Customs, the Trade Department and the Ministry of Health, specifically Mater Dei Hospital.

A few words here cannot reflect the immensity of their roles and the year they gave up for the cause. We lived those moments together.

The decisions taken by the government were the right ones for our country. They transformed positively our political and humanitarian experience for the benefit of both our country and those states located in the Mediterranean region.

We should all consider ourselves lucky to have been supported by a significant number of dedicated and well-prepared volunteers and professionals who worked their fingers to the bone in full coordination with each other. Even though a year has passed, I firmly believe that these events and experiences should be remembered and it would be a shame if we were to forget them.

It is for this reason that I would like to extend a firm word of thanks to all those who worked tirelessly on the Libya crisis. They deserve our gratitude and our admiration. Indeed, they have shown that, when in need, they are able to step up to the job and excel.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici is Minister for Home and Parliamentary Affairs.