Honours bestowed on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi by Malta can only be revoked by the President acting on a resolution approved by Parliament, the Attorney General has said.

Dr Peter Grech was replying to a letter sent by former Nationalist MP Frank Portelli to the President calling on him to revoke hobnours given to Col Gaddafi.

Col. Gaddafi was made honorary member of the “Xirka Gieh ir Reppublika” on December 5, 1975 and honorary companion of honour of the National Order of Merit on February 8, 2004.

The AG pointed out that in terms of the Gieh Ir-Repubblika Act a person may cease to be a member of the Xirka or the Order or be a holder of a medal under this law "if such person has been guilty of such conduct as makes him unworthy."

The appointment could be terminated and the medal could be revoked by the President of Mata acting on a resolution of the House of Representatives.

In the circumstances, Dr Grech said, the President was not legally empowered to consider Dr Portelli's request on its merits.

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