The president of the Malta Dockers' Union yesterday sued Frans Ghirxi, the editor of l-orizzont, for libel.

Joe Saliba claimed he had been libelled by an article entitled Twieġeb il-General Workers' Union (The General Workers' Union reacts), published on March 5.

According to Mr Saliba, the article alleged that, as MDU president, he had never informed the port workers that he had entered into agreements the workers had not approved.

The article, he added, further alleged that money that was supposed to be received by the port workers was now being paid to a company that was not theirs.

Mr Saliba told the court the article also alleged he had, for his own personal reasons, encouraged the port workers to leave the GWU, which owns l-orizzont, and that he operated a closed shop system.

Lawyer Ian J. Stafrace signed the writ.