Foreign Minister George Vella has expressed his solidarity with the Catholic community in Benghazi and Maltese priests and diplomats in the region after a bomb exploded outside the main door of the Catholic Church in Benghazi on Friday night.

The bomb went off at around 11.30 pm shattering several glass windows on the opposite side of the narrow road and also several windows in the building adjacent to the church, housing the priests.

Dr Vella phoned Malta's consul in Benghazi, Joe Pirotta,to offer his support.

The Maltese consulate is the only one representing an EU country in Benghazi.

Dr Vella thanked all Maltese diplomats for their service, while calling for increased vigilance.

Dr Vella also spoke to  Fr Alan Castillo, a Filipino priest who assists Maltese Bishop Mgr Sylvester Magro. Mgr Magro was away from the country, attending a conference in Spain, on Friday.

Fr Castillo said that Church repair work will be done by a Maltese man who lives near Benghazi. 

Dr Vella said the situation in Libya was a matter of concern. He said the Maltese government condemned all violence and would redouble its efforts to contribute to peace and stability in the country. 

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