A two-hour meeting of the Nationalist parliamentary group ended this afternoon without any of the MPs wishing to comment.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi ignored questions by waiting journalists and said the group had discussed the parliamentary agenda and did not normally reveal its discussions.

The meeting was held a day before parliament debates a confidence motion in the government.

Informed sources described the meeting as a 'frank exchange of ideas' during which MPs expressed their concerns

Franco Debono, who has promised to back the government, was not present for the meeting.

Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, who requested the meeting but has also declared his backing for the government, said on his facebook page over the weekend:

"We desperately need to find a common way forward. The animosity which some seem to find pleasure in nurturing between us does not have the approval of the majority of Maltese and Gozitans and is poisoning the local political scene. It's time to move from form to substance."

He noted that this wish was reflected in the words of the leaders of the two major political parties.

Dr Gonzi, he noted, had said that it would be far better had the government and the opposition been working together on further strengthening the economy and safeguarding jobs.

Furthermore, Joseph Muscat regularly showed he was in favour of a movement which gathers all within it, and one which sees across party boundaries, ignoring if one has red or blue affiliations: "a coalition of people united in their readiness to bring about change in the country together."

"Let's do it" Dr Pullicino Orlando said.

Writing this afternoon, Dr Pullicino Orlando said he felt Franco Debono should have attended the PN Parliamentary Group meeting today.

"I suggested that this meeting should be held to give us an opportunity to clear the air before tomorrow's crucial vote. The vote tomorrow is not about the future of the P.N.-it's about the stability of our country at this crucial moment."