US Senator John McCain yesterday met Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi after being taken on a quick tour of some of Malta's historical treasures.

The US Embassy said the two discussed "several important bilateral issues between Malta and the United States". The government did not issue a statement about the meeting.

The defeated Republican Presidential candidate left Malta for Washington at about 2.30 p.m. yesterday after landing on the island on Sunday night at about 7.15 p.m.

After spending the night at the Xara Palace Hotel, he started his day on a sunny morning with a tour around Mdina accompanied by Senator Joe Lieberman and US Ambassador to Malta Molly Bordonaro. Senator McCain and his entourage were then whisked off to St John's Co-Cathedral, which was closed off to tourists for the visit.

They were then taken on a tour of Grand Harbour on board an AFM US-built Protector class patrol boat and hopped off briefly to view Fort St Angelo. Senator McCain then headed off to Castille for his meeting with the Prime Minister and senior government officials. He flew back to the US after lunch at Castille.

Mr McCain, who was defeated by Barack Obama in last month's US presidential election, stopped over in Malta after a trip to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh where he discussed national security issues, the war on terrorism and American strategic ties with South Asia.

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