Ibrahim Ehmaida Dermish with his book yesterday. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Maltese ships provided Misurata with an invaluable lifeline during the Libyan uprising, according to the editor of a book which relives the revolution.

Ibrahim Ehmaida Dermish likened the “Malta-Libya boat line” to the Santa Marija convoy, which provided desperately-needed supplies to Malta during the Second World War.

“Misurata is indebted to Malta. Everyone knew of its role; from the frontlines to the homes, we won’t forget,” he said.

Mr Dermish, flanked by representatives from the Libyan embassy, was speaking at a press conference held for the launch of the book Misrata: A new name, a collection of articles by international media he said had taken a snapshot of the events that took place in Misurata between February and May 2011.

During the uprising, several Maltese ships made the perilous voyage to Misurata transporting medical supplies and food, including a rusty fishing trawler which provided one of the first aid shipments to the Libyan city.

Mr Dermish was visibly anguished by the graphic accounts; particularly the heart wrenching BBC report of five-year-old Malek who was orphaned after her home was hit by loyalist rockets early one morning.

“Young Malek lived two doors from my house, she is a symbol of Misrata,” he said.

Mr Dermish explained how he was forced to compile the book in Malta after his “clandestine” escape from Misurata during the revolution aboard a ship delivering supplies from Malta.

Reports on the number of people killed in the three-month siege vary. However, the National Transitional Council of Libya said that at least 2,000 rebels and civilians were killed in the Misurata area during the war with a further 900 injured.

Mr Dermish made reference to the two Libyan Mirage fighter jets that defected to Malta at the start of the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi and said that the diplomatic support that followed was responsible for the international recognition garnered by the Liberation Army.

“Malta was our window to the west,” Mr Dermish said.