Novelist and former lecturer Joseph John Camilleri, commonly known as JJ Camilleri, has passed away at the age of 84.

Among positions he has held through the years, Mr Camilleri, from Mosta, chaired the Advisory Council for Education and the selection boards of the Public Service Commission and Education Ministry. He was also a former member of the Broadcasting Authority.

He is mainly remembered, however, for his literary work, including Il-Għar Tax-Xitan, Luteru Żmien Li Tibni, Żmien Li Tħott and Kwartett – a collection of poems.

He was also known as a main exponent of the Moviment Qawmien Letterarju and a member of the Akkademja tal-Malti.

The Labour Party expressed its condolences and praised Mr Camilleri for his commitment to literature. It said his poems and novels reflected his belief in social justice, an open society and freedom from intolerance and discrimination.

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