Claims that large volumes of fuel are being smuggled from Libya to Malta are being investigated by the security service.
Reuters news agency reported yesterday that the claim about the fuel smuggling was made by the Libyan Prime Minister at a meeting with the Maltese Ambassador in Tripoli.
The government will take all necessary action to curb such activities
Reacting to the news report, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said high-level security talks were being held with Libya to verify the allegations. It said that, if the allegations were substantiated, the Maltese government would take all necessary action to curb such activities and to bring those responsible to justice.
The ministry also said it would be contacting its Libyan counterpart to discuss the latest developments adding that it had already been alerted about the allegations by the Maltese ambassador and had immediately instructed the security service to investigate. In addition, the Maltese government had summoned the Libyan Charges d’Affaires in Malta, Huseen M. M. Benown, to assure him of Malta’s commitment to fight any form of criminal activity, smuggling and trafficking of illegal substances.
The Libyan diplomat was urged to pass any relevant information available in Tripoli, which might warrant immediate action from the Maltese government, possibly in collaboration with the Libyan security forces.
The ministry expressed Malta’s commitment to strengthen peace and stability in the region.
Earlier, the Libyan Prime Minister, Abdullah al-Thinni, was quoted saying that the smuggling was “a threat to Libya” and affected its national security.
While the smuggling of fuel into Libya’s neighbouring countries is not a recent development, the Reuters report remarked that activity at sea was at an all time high following the civil war which led to the ousting of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The lack of fuel supplies in Libya has been accentuated by a significant decrease in oil output, which has fallen below 300,000 barrels a day due to a wave of protests at oilfields and ports over financial and political demands. Previously, production stood at about 1.4 million barrels per day.