A total of €377 million in Libyan assets were frozen by Malta after the United Nations and the EU  imposed sanctions on Col Gaddafi, it was revealed this afternoon.

In a statement, the government said that €291 million belonged to Libyan entities which were subject to the sanctions. A further €86 million belonged to the Gaddafi family or entities controlled by the family.

The government said it was working to ensure that the Libyan people may have access to these assets as soon as possible.

During a meeting with officials of the National Transitional Council in Benghazi last month, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg had said that  Malta was considering setting up a credit line to the council but first it had to look into whether it would be possible to allow the council to repay borrowed money through the frozen assets.

SHIP LEAVES FOR TRIPOLI

Meanwhile, a ship chartered by the Maltese governemnt has left Grand Harbour on its way to Tripoli to evacuate stranded workers.

The ship is expected to berth as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.

A Maltese ship which was on a similar mission last weekend had to abort the mission because of gunfire, and returned to Malta.

Another ship, chartered by the International Immigration Organisation slipped into Tripoli harbour today and is expected to take some 600 workers to Benghazi.

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