(Adds government's reaction)
The Prime Minister's decision to go abroad in spite of the political crisis in the country was one of the reasons which motivated the Labour Party to move its motion of no confidence in the government this morning.
Addressing a news conference this afternoon, Dr Muscat said that another development which led the PL to present its motion was the removal of a money bill from Parliament's agenda.
The Prime Minister's behaviour, he said, was obvious that he wanted to drag his feet on the issue to the detriment of the country.
At least when Rome burnt, Nero was close-by, he said.
Dr Muscat said that the time the opposition allocated for the motion was based on that allocated by Prime Minister Gonzi to a confidence vote last November.
However, the Opposition was willing to reach an agreement with the government for Parliament to open tomorrow and for there to be a whole 12 hours of debate, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
If the Prime Minister was willing to take this course of action, the whips could meet and agree on the matter tonight.
Mr Muscat said when asked that there had been no communication between the Labour Party and Franco Debono.
"We did not know what he was going to do and we have no control on his actions."
Dr Muscat said that if the vote of no confidence is defeated with the Speaker's casting vote, the situation would still be untenable for government since a government needed to have a working majority.
GOVERNMENT'S REACTION
In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister said that Dr Muscat’s reaction confirmed his thirst for power.
Dr Muscat, the OPM said, wanted to become Prime Minister today before tomorrow if that is at all possible.
After deputy leader Anglu Farrugia this morning moved a guillotine motion, Dr Muscat now wanted Parliamentary procedures to be ignored.
It was clear that Dr Muscat did not want to give his colleagues in Parliament a chance to debate.
In his reaction, Dr Muscat also said that a money bill had been withdrawn. This was not the case and there were two financial bills on Parliament’s agenda.