Malta to be humanitarian hub for Libya, MEP 'right to support EUFOR mission'

Malta is set to serve as a humanitarian hub for Libya with the Grand Harbour expected to serve as a transboarding port for international vessels carrying humanitarian aid.

MaltaToday is informed that preparations are underway for the huge operation that will see a number of ships entering and exiting the Grand Harbour laden with aid for the Libyan port-city of Misurata, while at least two hospital ships are set to be coordinating their efforts from Malta.

Containers with medical aid and food have already arrived in Malta over the past days and are being shipped out to Benghazi and Misurata on a daily basis, while teams of doctors have accompanied the aid.

“By supporting EUFOR Libya the Maltese Government has demonstrated its ability to put action before talk,” Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil said.

“While it is not an easy decision to commit your country's resources to support military humanitarian intervention, it is important that we continue to do what is humanly right and possible, and not what is politically convenient,” Busuttil said.

The planned operation, to be carried out under the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), will see a coordinated EU intervention in the Libyan crisis, strictly within the remit of providing humanitarian intervention.

In particular EUFOR Libya would provide escort for humanitarian convoys, for the evacuation of humanitarian workers, security to the Misrata port, and long-term humanitarian aid.

Busuttil acknowledged that participating in such actions is not just about protecting Malta’s reputation as a responsible EU Member State. “It is also about carrying our own among the international community and showing that we too are ready to shoulder our part in acting on what we believe in,” Busuttil said.

Together with Malta, Portugal, Greece, Germany, Hungary and Italy have reportedly also pledged their support to this mission. Other countries such as Austria, Finland and Poland already provide support in terms of operations staff.