Maltese military personnel will again help patrol the shores of east Africa in an anti-piracy mission, under a Memor-andum of Understanding signed with the Dutch Navy.

Home Affairs and National Security Minister Manuel Mallia made the announcement when he introduced the second reading of the Bill raising the armed forces’ recruitment age to 18, in line with the optional protocol under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This lays down that minors cannot be involved in armed conflict. At present, youths of 17 years and six months can be recruited.