Plans are still under way to hold a 5+5 summit in Malta in June, a meeting meant to bring together the heads of states of 10 Mediterranean countries, including Libya.

Muammar Gaddafi had also been expected to attend but now that he has been slapped with an international travel ban his participation seems to be out of the question.

However, it has not been ruled out that Col Gaddafi could be represented by other members of his regime – Libyan Foreign Affairs Minister Mousa Kousa is still able to travel – if the stalemate in the civil conflict continues.

When asked specifically whether Mr Kousa could represent Col Gaddafi and whether any members of the Libyan regime were still welcome in Malta, a spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry replied: “5+5 is still on, subject to the EU and UN sanctions.”

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg was yesterday in Rome attending meetings at the Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry about the situation in the Mediterranean, particularly in Libya.

His first meeting was with the State Secretary for Mediterranean Affairs, Stefania Craxi when they discussed the Libyan crisis, the reaction of the international community and the upcoming 5+5 meeting, which will be preceded by a foreign ministers’ meeting in Naples.

“There was agreement about various points, including that preparations for the two meetings should continue,” the government said yesterday.

Dr Borg and Ms Craxi also agreed that sanctions should not affect the people of Libya but should target Col Gaddafi’s regime and his inner circle.

Dr Borg reiterated that Malta would continue to offer humanitarian assistance but would not take part in military operations so as to remain neutral.

He was also expected to meet his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini before the two ministers attended an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels tomorrow.

The ministry said all Maltese wishing to leave Libya had now done so, except for two who were still on their way back. In all, 21 Maltese chose to remain.