US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Malta next week for official talks

Senior US sources have confirmed with MaltaToday, that the secretary of State will make a stop-over in Malta on her way to Tripoli for meetings with the National Transitional Council. During her stay, Clinton is also expected to formally inaugurate the brand-new multi-million US embassy compound in Ta' Qali.

Hillary Clinton is also expected to announce the new US ambassador to Malta after Douglas Kmiec resigned his post last August.

Clinton has cancelled a stop-over at the US NATO base in Naples and a meeting which was scheduled with embattled Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

MaltaToday is informed that major security preparations are underway in Malta for Clinton’s half day visit, while senior officers from the Armed Forces and the Police force have been working round the clock together with an advanced team of US officials who are coordinating security arrangements.

Hillary Clinton’s visit is expected to follow-up on Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi’s proposal to US senator John McCain, for the US to provide a hospital ship for hundreds of injured Libyan civilians.

She will be the first secretary of state to visit Malta since former secretary James Baker accompanied President George Bush Snr for the historic summit in Malta with former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.

While the battle for Sirte continues, the hospital in Misurata which is closest to the fighting is currently overwhelmed with casualties.

Senator McCain – who returned to Washington after meetings in Valletta and Tripoli -  yesterday formally wrote  to US President Barack Obama urging him to heed Malta’s request for the US to supply a hospital ship, and also to provide its hospitals within US bases around Europe for Libyan casualties.