Foreign Minister George Vella said this morning that the recall of Malta's diplomats from Tripoli amounted to a temporary relocation based on  consideration for the safety of the officials.

He was replying to questions at a press conference after the ministry announced yesterday that the two remaining Maltese diplomats in Tripoli had been recalled. The ambassador arrived in Malta a week ago.

Tripoli is currently run by a government which does not enjoy international recognition. The government which is recognised by Malta and the EU has moved to Tobruk, 1,000km in the east of Libya.

Dr Vella said that while not recognising the Tripoli administration, Malta had remained opened to both sides and participated in efforts to bring the two sides together.

He said that Malta had been under pressure from both sides to deny recognition and information to the other.

Over the past few days, the Maltese diplomats had reported being followed in the streets and receiving 'pressuring' calls from people close to Libya Dawn, which is running the Tripoli government insisting that Malta should recognise the Tripoli administration.

He said such developments had instilled fear, as had the appearance of ISIS flags in Tripoli. In such circumstances the diplomats could not work efficiently and the decision was taken to relocate them to Malta.

The decision, he said, was a 'painful' one.

Malta, he said, should not be made to choose between the two administrations. "Malta is between a rock and a hard place," Dr Vella said.

The diplomats would not be relocated to Tobruk.

Dr Vella said locally engaged personnel would seek to keep the Maltese embassy open for as long as possible. Anyone needing assistance should call on 22042200 or 80072203.