The Maltese government will continue to recognise its democratically appointed Libyan counterparts, it said yesterday.

Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella and Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech yesterday held a meeting with representatives from the Libyan government to discuss the tense situation in the North African state.

The meeting called for a peaceful solution to the fighting.

Mr Vella told Times of Malta they were doing a circuit of Europe to gather support.

“They were elected through a transparent and democratic election and we support them,” he said.

He hoped the conflict would be resolved through open dialogue and not warfare but said there was a decreasing likelihood of an amicable solution.

“What I hope will happen and what I think will happen are quite different.

“The chances of this being resolved by sitting around a table are quite remote, but I still continue hoping,” he said.