Tourists feel far from the violence taking place in the North African neighbour. Soaking up the sun yesterday, they tell Nikki Abela Mercieca the situation did not affect their holiday plans.

Margaret Thompson, 67, of Ireland: “It hasn’t hindered our plans but I’m a bit concerned about strange people being about and about crime. I think it’s business as usual here and we’re being treated well. I had a few doubts about coming but we had booked so I came in the end.”

Rowina Westermeier, 23, of Germany: “I do feel safe here. I think things always change if there’s a war close by because you become aware of how good your life is. Things with the economy will change, I suppose, but those changes are still to come. It did not change our decision to come to Malta.”

Clifford Smith, 71, of Britain: “Malta is in a very strategic position for the Mediterranean so we’ll have to see what happens in the near future. I have a question mark about whether Muammar Gaddafi has any weapons that can reach Malta. The situation here is not tense. The people in Malta think they are totally safe because it is not an area where people will put their planes and weapons. But the fact that it is an area which Britain or America might call on means it could be in danger. However, it didn’t make me think twice about coming.”

Serhiy Voznyak, 34, of Ukraine: “Malta is a very quiet place and what is happening in Libya now doesn’t affect the country. The situation in Libya didn’t affect my plans to spend time here.”

Sonia Tweedy, 26, of Northern Ireland: “I feel fine being in Malta, it is safe enough here. The situation is not tense. We had booked the holiday months ago so we had no choice about backing out really and decided to come.”

Graham Lord, 44, of Britain: “Nobody feels as though they’re in any danger or anything, it’s just normal life here. I didn’t think twice before coming to Malta, I feel safe, really safe here.”