Parliament will be discussing the developing situation in Libya on Friday evening, during an extended session which is set to start an hour earlier to accommodate the numerous items on the agenda.

The call for the debate was made last week in a motion tabled by the Opposition following the escalation of violence in Libya.

Many Maltese nationals earn their living in that country.

On Monday, some 70 foreign workers, mainly Maltese, were flown back home on a chartered flight organised by the Maltese government. However, until yesterday evening, no further flights were expected, as no further enquiries had been made with the embassy in Tripoli.

Two days ago, the Nationalist Party said the government had seemingly ignored its call for a debate, as no feedback was received till then. It reiterated that such a discussion had to be held before the start of the summer recess.

Contacted by Times of Malta, a government spokesman yesterday said there was no problem to debate this issue with immediate effect, but had to take stock of the situation first.

Opposition whip David Agius confirmed that an agreement had been reached to hold the discussion early on Friday evening.

This would permit the House to dedicate more time to the issue and allow Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella to take part in the debate, as he is currently in Brussels for the Foreign Affairs Council.

Yesterday, he told his fellow ministers that the EU must be vigilant to the deteriorating situation.