US denies involvement in Mediterranean anti-terrorism exercises

Ambassador Deborah Jones denies US involvement in alleged anti-terrorism military exercises

In a press conference today, US ambassador to Libya Deborah K. Jones said that the United States recognised the legitimacy of the democratically-elected government but was willing to listen to all parties involved in the Libya crisis.

Speaking at the US ambassador’s residence in Attard, alongside US ambassador to Malta Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, Jones said that working together to reach a peaceful solution was the best way forward.

The US embassy in Tripoli was closed about a month ago and its operations were transferred to Malta.

Although there were ‘sanctionable acts’ from both sides, there was no outright condemnation of any of the warring militias.

“Malta will continue to play a main role in support of Libya,” the ambassador said. “A UN Security Council meeting regarding Libya is due to be held in the coming days.”

Jones denied any American involvement in Mediterranean anti-terrorism exercises. Earlier this week, reports surfaced suggesting that the air forces of Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania, Spain, France, Portugal, Italy and Malta are participating in an exercise being conducted by US naval forces in the region, in reaction to security concerns prompted by the Tripoli airport siege.

So far the Office of the Prime Minister has not denied the reports but sources have told MaltaToday that the AFM was not taking part in any joint military exercise.