Malta engaged in discussions to bring injured Libyan civilians for medical aid

Speaking to MaltaToday, a senior government source said that “although nothing so far has been concluded, negotiations are underway for injured civilians to be brought to Malta to be given medical assistance.”

Speaking in London yesterday during the Libya conference hosted by the British government, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg stressed on Malta’s humanitarian vocation, and also mentioned the country’s preparedness to host injured civilians.

MaltaToday is reliably informed that discussions are underway to receive a number of critically wounded civilians, mostly amputees from the beleaguered Misurata hospital.

The hospital is said to have run out of medical supplies, no anestesia or vital medicinals.

Discussions are underway in a bid to find the way to evacuate the injured and be brought over to Malta.

According to sources, the injured must be helicoptered out of Misurata in unsecure conditions and paramedic teams must accompany each person.

The French and British governments who are part of the coalition force participating in the enforcement of the UN no-fly zone over Libya are being consulted to coordinate the effort.

Meanwhile, Turkey has set up a range of surgical programs to treat hundreds of people wounded in the turmoil in Libya.

In an interview with Hurriyet newspaper last Saturday, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said that a ship has set sail to the North African country to aid some 450 people injured in Libya's violence and bring them to Turkey.

"Turkey is the only country to maintain contact with both sides... We will bring the wounded. There is a deal on that,” he said.
Cicek added that the operation has been given blessing from the regime of embattled 68-year-old Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Turkey, like Malta has ruled out taking part in US-led airstrikes against Libya and laid emphasis on the need for humanitarian aid efforts.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says some 351,600 people have fled Libya for fear of violence and around 1,500 to 2,000 are making their way to Egypt each day, apart from the sub-saharan refugees who are now fleeing the Libyan coasts and heading to Malta and Lampedusa.

According to US military officials, more than 350 aircraft are participating in the US-led campaign of military airstrikes against Libya.

Apart from the United States, twelve countries are taking part in Operation Odyssey Dawn, which began on March 19 after the UN Security Council imposed a no-fly zone over Libya to "protect civilians" from Gaddafi's attacks.