Prime Minister Joseph Muscat yesterday did not rule out the option of splitting the controversial American university campus over two sites, adding that he believed a solution could be found.

Over the past weeks, he said, he had received various proposals as to where the university could be built instead of the proposed Żonqor Point – which would mean building in a green area.

“We need to have an open mind. Some asked: Can it be divided into two, rather than have one site? The argument – as I know the rationale of having such an institution – is that it can be split into two, but you can’t split such an institution into 10.

“So let’s look at all options,” Dr Muscat said during an interview on television news programme Reporter aired last night.

From what I can see, if there is flexibility, not only by the government and the investor but also by those opposing, there can be certain compromises

“From what I can see, if there is flexibility, not only by the government and the investor but also by those opposing... there can be certain compromises made.”

He added that, among the opposition to the project, there were genuine environmentalists but there were also some who did not want competition in the field of tertiary education. He reiterated that he was not resolute about the project going to Żonqor Point but he was determined it would be in the south. The north is already a “magnet for private investment”.

In fact, the government will soon announce an investment by a private company in the tourism sector, he said, specifying that it will not be outside development zones.

Programme host Saviour Balzan asked him about the appointment of two new judges and two magistrates, and asked why Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, who was known for her efficiency, was not made judge.

He replied that she would be considered once the proceedings against her before the Commission for the Administration of Justice were concluded.