The Maltese are becoming increasingly suspicious, hostile and discriminatory against Libyans, according to a Libyan doctor residing in Malta.

Dr Mohammed Mufti, who has had links with Malta for 30 years, was speaking during a phone link on yesterday's edition of Times Talk which discussed whether Libyan people residing in Malta are viewed as a real or a perceived threat.

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He said that over a period of 30 years the Maltese had always been pleasant, helpful and welcoming.

“But over the past few years things have changed. The Maltese are becoming unfortunately suspicious of Libyans, sometimes hostile or even showing discrimination.

“Of course this comes against a general background of fear and panic related to terrorism in the Mediterranean and the increasing number of workers coming to Malta from the EU,” he said.

Civil war in Libya, he added, had resulted in complications for the Maltese. Oil fields had shut down, hundreds of Maltese workers had become unemployed, airlines and trade had been affected negatively.

Asked whether discrimination was against Libyans specifically, Dr Mufti said the Maltese frustration was about the increasing number of foreigners coming into Malta but the Libyans were among the easiest target because people could not complain about people coming from the EU.

This hostility against Libyans, he said, was restricted to certain groups. The first were young Maltese adult males, especially in tourist services and banks. Some bank clerks, he said, would not even allow Libyans to deposit cash in their own accounts. Many Libyans had found it impossible to open bank accounts.

The second group who were suspicious of Libyans were clerks in government offices.

“The recent scandal at Identity Malta has inflamed matters. Unfortunately it has been exaggerated by the media and has been exploited by party politicians. That is dangerous, I think,” he said.

Dr Mufti said relations between Malta and Libya were eternal because of geographical, economic and other reasons, and they should be protected. He suggested there should be awareness campaigns to promote better understanding.

See programme repeat at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20151019/timestalk/watch-maltese-discriminating-against-libyans-says-doctor.586801