The government is exploring the possibility of spreading the proposed American University of Malta over a number of sites, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat confirmed this morning.

Replying to questions from the media today, Dr Muscat said the key for the government was that the university should be located in the south.

He pointed out that the government had always said that while the proposed site in Zonqor was 90,000 square metres, much of it would not have building on it.

The government, he said, had received a number of suggestions on possible alternative sites in the south of Malta and it was possible that the university project would be spread across more than one location.

He said some of the suggested sites included historic properties.

The government, he said, was considering the possibilities, but there were related problems of connectivity, with new roads needing to be laid on agricultural land.

Asked about the future for farmers if the Zonqor site is retained, at least partially, Dr Muscat said the farmers would be given fields elsewhere. Asked where the alternative fields could be, Dr Muscat joked that the farmers could be relocated to St Luke's - a possible site suggested by the Opposition for the new university.