A motion for Parliament to debate the situation in Libya and measures being taken by the government to protect the lives of Maltese nationals who live in the north African state, was presented to the Speaker this morning by Nationalist MP Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici and whip David Agius.

At least 15 people have been killed in clashes in Tripoli and Benghazi since Sunday and the United Nations has decided to pull its staff out because of the deteriorating security.

A militia also shelled Tripoli airport, destroying 90 per cent of planes parked there.

The PN's motion states that several people are endangering their lives and the Maltese embassy was not providing them with any assistance.

The challenges were growing and the government had not yet taken the issue for debate in Parliament.

The Nationalist MPs called for a free and informative debate on what was happening.

Speaker Anglu Farrugia said the motion was an important one because the situation in Libya affected Malta and Maltese interests. The government and opposition, he said, should work together for more stability in Libya to be achieved.

in a reaction, Foreign Minister George Vella said the motion would be debated in due time, but he cautioned that the motion was alarmist.