Updated 10 p.m.

Two Maltese catamarans are still alongside at Tripoli harbour, hoping to take on board as many workers as possible before casting off for Malta. However their departure has been delayed further after another deterioration of weather conditions following a short improvement.

The vessels were due to have slipped their moorings at 6 p.m. The government in the afternoon said it was formally advising all Maltese in the area to board the vessels.

Informed sources said they are not expected back in Malta until the early morning.

Earlier today Air Malta cancelled its only flight to Tripoli because of the deteriorating security situation. No commercial flights by any airline were operated between Tripoli and Malta today.

One of the catamarans was chartered by the private company while the other was dispatched by its owners, Virtu Ferries.

Both catamarans returned to Tripoli this morning after arriving in Malta on their first trip from the Libyan capital late yesterday (Friday). They brought to Malta hundreds of Americans as well as workers from other nationalities, including Maltese.

Other Maltese came on a Chinese government-chartered vessel, the Grimaldi vessel Roma.