The government is prepared to cancel the Commonwealth summit in Malta if there was any sign of a credible threat, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this morning. 

However, he emphasised that there is no known security threat to Malta and the preparations for CHOGM were still moving ahead as planned. He also revealed that additional security measures have been adopted in key strategic sites overnight as a precautionary measure.

"There is no cause for alarm. There is no known security threat to Malta." he stressed.

The Prime Minister was addressing a news conference in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks which claimed the lives of dozens last night.

There is no cause for alarm. There is no known security threat to Malta

Dr Muscat said there were no indications that any Maltese were among last night's victims.

Expressing solidarity with the French people, he said the size and the indiscriminate nature of the attack was "an attack on Europe and the civilised world."

Dr Muscat said the suspension of Schengen, which was meant to be lifted last night, will now remain in force until after the Commonwealth summit as a precautionary measure.

Security services, police and army were in touch with their foreign counterparts.

He cautioned against adopting a siege mentality. In appealing for caution, he said he would be the first to speak out if there was a threat.

Asked about the Algerian visa scandal, Dr Muscat said the French government had never flagged any problems with the way visas were issued. Following press reports, the Maltese government asked the French whether there was a problem and the response was that there was not.