Emanuel Abela, who until recently headed the Department of Information, died yesterday aged 62.

Mr Abela, the second longest serving Director of Information since 1957, was appointed to the post in 1999.

He had joined the public service in 1964 as a clerical officer with the Department of Emigration, Labour and Social Welfare. He then served within the Ministry of Labour, Culture and Welfare and the Ports Department before moving on to the Prime Minister's Secretariat in 1987.

Mr Abela served as Assistant Private Secretary to the Prime Minister between 1991 and 1996 and again in 1998-1999. In the interim he was assigned to the Electoral Office. Mr Abela retired from the public service only recently. During his tenure as Director of Information, he was also Press Registrar.

The Acting Director of Information and the staff of the department yesterday extended their condolences to Mr Abela's family.

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