The majority of Marsascala's Labour councillors voted against a motion urging the government to return the Żonqor area to the public, the Nationalist Party said on Friday.

Just Labour's deputy mayor Desiree Attard approved the PN motion to stop the American University of Malta from occupying the green land in the south of the island. Ms Attard has been consistent in her objection to the campus.

The motion was proposed by PN councillors John Baptist Camilleri, Charlot Cassar and Sandro Gatt.

The motion was sparked after it was divulged that the AUM had attracted just 14 students to its campus, while it was also laying off academic staff.

"It's a pity that Joseph Muscat's government and the Labour majority in Marsascala remains stubborn when it's clear that Sadeen's university doesn't require the land in Żonqor."

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo had said that the operators of the American University of Malta should first focus on building their reputation rather than developing a full-blown campus at Żonqor Point.