Malta has an important role to play in the rebuilding of Libya, it should retain a presence in the country as much as possible, show leadership and help in case of emergencies, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said this evening.
Speaking in Parliament during a debate on a motion moved by Nationalist MP Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, Dr Busuttil noted that in the first phase of the liberation of Libya., the government had kept the Opposition and its leader continuously informed of what was happening but the current Opposition was learning of things from the media.
He asked:
“Does Malta have a plan in case mass evacuations are needed... Is Malta keeping Libya on the EU’s agenda... Is Malta doing its utmost to give the Libyan people direct help... Has it understood well enough who are the Libyan factions fighting one another... How is it helping in Libya’s transition from a dictatorship to a democracy... Is the government prepared enough to address the situation as it is developing?”
He asked what was Malta doing to prod the Italian EU president to take action about the situation in Libya.
Dr Busuttil said Malta had a major interest in the stabilisation of Libya in the best interest of the Maltese who worked in Libya, the commercial interests between the two countries and the friendship between the two people.
Malta had contributed a lot in the first phase of the liberation of Libya and it was now being called again to play another important role in the rebuilding of Libya and the people expected it to make a success out of this mission.
The motion, moved by Nationalist MP Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici and whip David Agius, 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.
Dr Busuttil said the PN was amending its motion to include a clause calling on the government to do its utmost for the release of the Maltese man abducted in Libya.
PN deputy leader Mario de Marco asked what the government what it was doing to safeguard Maltese interests in Libya and for the situation in Malta’s second closest neighbour to improve.
The previous government, he said, had looked at Libya optimistically and the present government could not throw the clock back and ignore what was happening.
The government needed a plan of action which safeguarded the national interest and the Maltese still in Libya, the life of the Maltese man who was kidnapped and Maltese investment in Libya.
It should also see how it could safeguard the life of other foreigners in Libya and help the Libyan people in this difficult time.
Spokesman Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici said the situation in Libya was unfortunately worsening and this was what led the Opposition to move its motion.
The government, he siad, did not seek advice and did not consult the Opposition, it took its time to take action and when calls started being made inviting the people to return to Malta, they confused the Maltese in Libya even more for many expected to be guided on what they should do.
He siad one should see whether the decision should be taken to encourage the Maltese in Libya to return. For in spite of the efforts being made, the people there may not be getting the message.
MP Marthese Portelli said that the government should give the Opposition a daily briefing about the situation.