The unequivocal and arrogant denunciation of EU directives regarding illegal immigration by the Libyan Foreign Minister makes clear Libya's position in the war against human traffickers and the prevention of illegal immigrant sailings from that country's shores.

The Foreign Minister has also left no doubt as to the reasons why his country has been slow to react (or not react at all) to emergency situations within its search and rescue area. The Simshar magisterial inquiry should investigate to what extent Libyan assistance had been forthcoming with S&R throughout the disaster.

All of this from the same Foreign Minister who two years ago pleaded with and convinced a gullible EU fact-finding mission (which also included our man in Brussels) that Libya needed EU assistance in stemming the flow of illegal immigrants pouring in through its southern border. He had submitted that Libya's borders were too extensive and Libya, having just emerged from a period of crippling UN sanctions, needed EU help. Perhaps it is time for those sanctions to be re-imposed.

EU sources have been quoted as stating that the Libyans are adamant in refusing to cooperate. The Libyans have told the EU "straight and plain" that human trafficking and illegal immigration is not their problem. They refuse to take back illegal immigrants claiming that these are not Libyan nationals but Africans from the Horn of Africa who are using Libya to flee to Europe. The Libyan Foreign Minister has invoked the solidarity and support of the African Union, which body is the responsible entity for addressing the issue of illegal immigration from so-called African trouble spots.

Given this turn of events, the EU should put Libya on notice that it faces economic and other sanctions if it does not take immediate steps to put a halt to human trafficking from its shores.

Blockading the entire Libyan coast with a combined force of EU naval vessels should also be considered. In the face of continued Libyan intransigence, gunboat diplomacy may be the only remaining option. It has been effective in the past. The time for Maltese government-style diplomacy, which was obsequious, weak, and ineffective, has passed!

For all the good it will do the EU, and particularly Malta, the €72 million Frontex budget for 2009 might as well be taken out in coins and dumped overboard in the Mediterranean just north of Libya's territorial perimeter. In time it might just form a barrier reef.