Muscat pays tribute to army officers in Lampedusa shipwreck rescue

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat today paid tribute to the Armed Forces of Malta's officers who were involved in a timely rescue after a boatload of some 250 migrants, also comprising Syrian and Palestinian asylum seekers, were shipwrecked in the Maltese search and rescue region.

The boat was located 61 miles south of the Italian island Lampedusa, and in a joint mission, 147 migrants were brought ashore to Malta and another 50 were taken by the Italian navy to Italy. But over 30 lost their lives in the tragic incident.

"There has never been such an intensive attention on the AFM as in the last few days. Your efforts have attracted the world's and Malta's admiration. You have saved hundreds of people in the last days and many more over the years. We cannot but show our appreciation. You made us proud, and you are Malta's and Europe's heroes," Muscat told the AFM officers.

The prime minister said it was the politicians' job now to ensure that countries at the European borders, like Malta and Italy, are not left alone to rescue migrants carrying out the Mediterranean crossing.

"We have been abandoned by Europe. We not only need money, but a plan. And although no reassuring signs have come our way, we will work hard to ensure that Europe wakes up," Muscat said.

Yesterday the prime minister visited his Libyan counterpart Ali Zeidan in a four-hour visit to discuss the migration from the North African country. "Stability in Libya remains vital and we will work together to ensure stability there. No stability in Libya means no security in the Mediterranean."