One of two Libyan pilots who had defected to Malta at the start of the country’s uprising on February 21, 2011, has returned to Malta for a visit.

Ali Faraj al Rabty called on Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at Castille this afternoon, telling him that he thanked God and the Maltese people, “without whom I would not be here”.

Mr Al Rabty was accompanied by his son Abdul Rahman, 21, who is in Malta studying English.

He said that several Libyan people who had defected to other Arab states during the uprising, were repatriated and then they were executed by the Gaddafi regime.  

He said that on their way to Malta, he and his colleague were unsure of the reception they would get, because of the strong ties between Malta and Libya.

“All we were sure of was that we did not want to shoot our people… We put the Maltese government in a very difficult position and we will be forever grateful for what the Maltese did for us,” he said describing Dr Gonzi as a courageous man.

Dr Gonzi recalled that 24 hours after the pilots’ arrival in Malta, the Libyan regime had sent an aircraft to collect them. The Maltese government, however, stood its ground and protected the pilots.

Later on  the Dutch authorities had requested the intervention of the Maltese government for the liberation of three Dutch nationals who were being held hostage in Libya.

The regime told Malta that the Dutch nationals would be released only if the pilots were returned to Libya. Malta again stood its ground and told the regime that this was unacceptable. It managed to ensure the release of the Dutch while continuing to protect the pilots.

Dr Gonzi recalled that Malta had also helped in the evacuation of 21,000 people from Libya.