A Libyan man who supports the Benghazi-based rebels in his country has been condemned to a suspended eight-month prison term after admitting his involvement in a stone-throwing incident during demonstrations by rival groups outside the Libyan embassy in Balzan.

He also admitted resisting the police.

The incident happened on March 21.

Tarek Hussein, 35, a resident of St Julians, admitted to throwing stones at a group of pro-Gaddafi supporters, resisting the police and disobeying police orders. He also admitted incitement.

Defence counsel pleaded that the actions of the accused were motivated by his concerned about what was going on in his country and the fact that he had been unable to communicate with his family in Benghazi. He became very angry when he heard insults by the Gaddafi supporters.

The court in considering judgement, said it had noted the personal circumstances of the accused, his relatively clean police record and his cooperation with the police.