Former chairman of the Libyan Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdul Jalil , said this morning he was optimistic of a bright future for his country after the turmoil two years ago.

As he thanked Malta for helping Malta when difficulties arose in his home country two years ago, Mr Jalil said he looked forward to seeing Libya strengthening its ties with Malta.

He was speaking during a courtesy visit at Castille where he met Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

Mr Jalil said that although we was away from the political scene for almost two years, he was closely following the developments in his country.

“I am optimistic of a prosperous future for Libya and its people and even more optimistic that cooperation between Malta and Libya will continue to grow in the near future,” he said.

Dr Muscat expressed the country’s commitment to assisting Libya’s transition into a democracy.

“We are following the events unfolding in Libya with trepidation and sometimes with joy. We enjoy very close ties and have signed a number of agreements, with more yet to come. We look forward to increasing cooperation in the future,” he said.

Mr Jalil, who later also called on Opposition leader Simon Busuttil, is in Malta for the launch of the new book of former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who had been at the centre of the difficult decisions when the uprising in Libya reached its climax.