The situation in Libya is tense and uncertain but there is no immediate need to evacuate Maltese there, according to Foreign Minister George Vella.

Even so, the ministry started operating a crisis centre on Tuesday evening to make contact with all known Maltese in that country.

Dr Vella said the decision to activate the crisis centre was taken after Tripoli airport was attacked a second time in as many days and the Libyan airspace was shut for international traffic.

However, he insisted that from the feedback received from Maltese in Libya and other channels of information, the situation was “not as dramatic as it seemed”.

“We have to tread a fine line because if Malta evacuates its nationals this could easily create a snowball effect with other countries following suit,” Dr Vella said, adding there were instances over the past months when the situation approached boiling point only to relent a few days later.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Dr Vella said a meeting of EU heads of mission on Tuesday advised there was no immediate need to evacuate people.

He said Libyan airspace was partially reopened yesterday morning with the airports of Mitiga, on the outskirts of Tripoli, and Misurata able to operate.

Six-people teams working on a shift basis at the crisis centre made contact with 156 Maltese in Libya to determine their needs and provide them with a contact point if required. Further attempts were being made to contact another 40 known to be in Libya.

“None of those we spoke to reported being in any particular danger and none asked to be evacuated,” he said, adding Libya was inherently a high risk destination because of the uncertainty.

On Tuesday two civilian French helicopters and a private Libyan airplane arrived in Malta with a handful of workers who were evacuated by the companies they worked for.

Dr Vella confirmed that Maltese ambassador to Libya Mannie Galea was in Malta and unable to fly back. Mr Galea was here to attend the ambassadors’ meeting last week and was caught in Malta when the Libyan airspace was closed on Sunday and Air Malta stopped all flights to the country.

However, the ambassador’s second-in-command was also in Malta, on leave, prompting concern that the embassy had been abandoned. Dr Vella said it was unfortunate that the ambassador could not return to Tripoli but was present at the crisis centre to answer any queries.

“The ambassador is willing to return to Libya at the first opportunity to do so,” he added.

The Maltese embassy in Tripoli is still operational with two Maltese members of staff running the show but opening times have varied because of security concerns.

Dr Vella justified the embassy’s irregular operations, saying his first priority was to safeguard the security of the staff. The embassy does not have an Armed Forces of Malta contingent to offer protection, he added.

Asked whether an army contingent will be sent to Libya to provide security, Dr Vella said discussions had been held with the army but no decision had been taken yet.

PN wants debate in House

The Opposition has filed a motion calling for a parliamentary debate on the situation in Libya and seeking information on what the government is doing to protect the lives of Maltese nationals there.

The motion says the violence and political tension in Libya is escalating and that the Maltese embassy is not helping stranded Maltese nationals.

Foreign Minister George Vella described it as “alarmist”. He added that the motion will be discussed “in due time”.

The motion was presented by Opposition spokesman on Foreign Affairs Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici and whip David Agius to Speaker Anġlu Farrugia, who called on the government and Opposition to work together for a better and more stable Libya.

In the same motion, the PN is calling for a debate on recent reports that oil is being illegally transported between the two countries, while the party also expresses concern about irregular migration involving Libya.

Helplines for Maltese in Libya

Contact with Foreign Ministry officials can be done using the following communications means:

• Skype: helplinemfa
• Emergency e-mail address: crisis.mfa@gov.mt
• Phone when calling from abroad: 2204 2200
• Freephone when calling from Malta: 80072203