Malta has always adhered to its duties and international obligations when co-ordinating search and rescue operations in its Search and Rescue Area, the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry said.

In a statement, the ministry said it took note of comments by the Italian Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini, as reported in the Italian daily Corriere della Sera.

Had Mr Frattini's comments been factual, the Armed Forces of Malta would not have rescued 1,530 people since the Libyan crisis started, including a group of 76 persons who escaped from Misurata on a fishing trawler last week, it said.

The ministry reiterated that it serenely awaited any communication from the Italian or other relevant authorities to prove the above by answering in full and stating the facts.

Mr Frattini said in an interview with Corriere that Italy had to report Malta as it was not doing its part to save the lives of hundreds of immigrants crossing its vast search and rescue area.

“We had to report Malta as in many instances the Maltese authorities are just looking at the problem and not giving any help when immigrants are in Malta’s SAR waters,” Mr Frattini charged.

Insisting Italy was prepared to do all it could to save lives, Mr Frattini said the Italian government had ordered its rescue services to intervene and save lives in all circumstances, even in faraway seas and in areas which were not directly in its responsibility.

Malta and Italy have been at loggerheads in the past years over the interpretation of international maritime rules connected with SAR operations.

While Malta maintains it is only responsible for coordinating search and rescue missions in its vast area – which spreads across the Mediterranean from Crete to just a few kilometres from Lampedusa – Italy contests this and says the island is responsible for taking all immigrants rescued in its SAR region.