The UN’s special envoy to Libya, Bernardino Leon, arrived in Malta this evening for talks with Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni, in an effort to break the deadlock on the current crisis in the North African country, the government said this evening

The announcement that he will be coming to Malta was made by Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat during a joint press conference at Castille with his Libyan counterpart, who is leading a delegation which includes his deputy, and four Cabinet members.

In his comments the Libyan Prime Minister spoke about the strong bilateral relations with Malta, and said that there were prospects for further collaboration in health, economy and investment.

Asked whether he would favour direct military intervention by foreign powers in his country, Mr Al Thinni said that they were only requesting “logistical support” to overcome militias which have taken control of key cities including Tripoli.

He also remarked that his government was the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people, as it had been democratically elected, thus hinting that he was not willing to allow members of the Muslim Brotherhood in his government.

Asked by this newspaper on the outcome of the meeting with US Ambassador for Libya Deborah Safiri, which was held yesterday shortly after his arrival, he said that this was a routine meeting, in which they discussed “day-to-day” matters.

On his part Dr Muscat said that Malta’s role would be to act as the voice of the democratically elected Libyan government in the EU. While stressing that the only internationally-recognised government was that led by Mr Al Thinni, he urged him to engage in dialogue with other political forces in Libya.

The presence of the Libyan Prime Minister and four of his Cabinet members in Malta, is being linked with mediation efforts to end the present conflict which has seen the elected government lose control of Tripoli and other major Libyan cities to Islamist militias.

Soon after his arrival on Monday evening, Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni had talks with Ambassador Safiri, who later tweeted a photo with the Libyan leader. The US ambassador commented that her meeting with Mr Al Thinni was an “interesting exchange”.

Meanwhile Turkey’s special envoy to Libya Emrullah Isler made a brief stopover in Malta on his way to Libya. The Turkish foreign ministry said that the former deputy prime minister would be holding talks in Libya to bring an end to the existing climate of conflict and discuss Turkey’s support to Libya.

A Maltese government spokesman said that during his short stay on the island, no meetings were held with Prime Minister al-Thinni. Sources told this newspaper that the Turkish envoy was scheduled to meet the Islamist militias in Misurata.

These talks will follow a meeting which the Turkish envoy had with representatives of the internationally-recognised Libyan authorities, in a city close to the Egyptian border. Elected last June, the Tobruk-based government was forced to flee from the hostile militias in the capital, and had to settle in a 1970s hotel some 1,000 kilometres away.

The Tripoli-based government is refuting claims that it is being backed by terrorist organisations and is opposing the Tobruk authorities because they include officials and politicians who formed part of the Gaddafi regime.

Asked on the memorandum of understanding signed in September last year, which would allow Malta to buy oil, gas and fuel at preferential rates, the Libyan Prime Minister said that it was still being evaluated.

However, Dr Muscat remarked that it would come into force once oil production in Libya picked up.

 

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