While the Prime Minister was portraying himself as having adopted a tough stance on migration, on the other hand he had “opened the floodgates” for foreigners to enter Malta, Simon Busuttil said yesterday.

“One cannot express concern about the migration issue but at the same time grant 14,000 residency permits in a year… as well as 7,000 visas from Algeria in just 18 months,” the Opposition leader said in a brief interview on Radio 101.

Describing the positions adopted by the Prime Minister as “contradictory”, he said the government’s refusal to probe the “Algerian visa scandal” fuelled further suspicion.

“What is happening? Is Malta being used as a stepping stone from Algeria to Paris or any other EU country? Does this increase security?” he asked.

Dr Busuttil criticised Joseph Muscat for downplaying this issue during last week’s visit to the North African country when the Prime Minister said Algerian authorities had “laughed it off”.

But Malta’s security was not something to be taken lightly, Dr Busuttil said.

Reacting to reports in the Italian media that Syrian nationals with suspected links to extremist groups had been detained just as they were boarding a plane to Malta, Dr Busuttil said he did not believe the government’s assurances that their only intention was to find a job here.

What is happening? Is Malta being used as a stepping stone from Algeria to Paris or any other EU country?

“I am not saying their trip was linked to terrorism, and God forbid if this was the case, but the [Maltese] government needs to give replies, reduce risks and show it is in control when it comes to terrorism.”

Touching on MP Marlene Farrugia’s resignation from Labour, he said this was not a decision taken on the spur of the moment.

He also called on the Prime Minister to crack down on Labour MP Joe Debono Grech in the wake of the incidents in Parliament last Friday: “Failure by Dr Muscat to do so would mean he is endorsing the threats and intimidation which Mr Debono Grech engaged in towards Dr Farrugia.”

Describing her resignation as “a turning point”, Dr Busuttil said it would serve to strengthen the PN’s resolve to earn two additional parliamentary seats, an issue at the heart of a legal dispute over a “mistake” made in the general election result. “This would mean that the PL’s majority could potentially go down to five seats, if Dr Farrugia would vote with the Opposition,” Dr Busuttil said.

In a statement issued following Dr Busuttil’s remarks on the Syrians detained in Italy, the government dismissed the Italian media reports and ruled out terrorist motives, saying the Syrians were part of a human smuggling ring.

While the Maltese police have arrested a Somali man in connection with the racket, another suspect is believed to still be on the run,

The government accused the Opposition leader of acting irresponsibly, saying he was casting doubts on a joint security operation conducted by a number of EU countries. It seemed Dr Busuttil’s wish was to establish a link with terrorism, to put Malta in a bad light, the statement read.

The government also accused him of resorting to stereotypes and prejudices, stooping to the lowest level of political debate.

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