Alternattiva Demokratika has expressed support for request of the Maltese and Italian governments for a UN mandated international intervention to re-establish law and order in Libya and minimise danger in the country.

In a statement this afternoon, chairman Arnold Cassola and deputy chairman Carmel Cacopardo said that Malta could not keep on watching passively the unfolding drama which was leading to total anarchy in Libya.

The situation also led to a disproportionate increase in migratory flows of Libyans fleeing from the destruction in their country, they pointed out.

"While we are conscious of the dangers of retaliation against our country, it being - together with Italy - the nearest to the conflict area, once the efforts of the UN Special representative in Libya Bernardino Leon have not led to any tangible results, we support the request of the Maltese and Italian governments for a UN mandated international intervention to re-establish law and order in Libya and to minimize danger in the country.

“In view of the present unfortunate circumstances, it would be advisable that Malta's air and sea defences are strengthened," it said.