International community must urgently tackle Libyan crisis - government

The government has called on the international community to urgently tackle the Libyan crisis, arguing that stability in the Mediterranean is of paramount importance to ensure stability in Europe.

In a statement, the government argued that it would continue to seek consensus - rather than political bickering - to solve the Libya crisis. It argued that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has been insisting for over a year that a United Nations intervention can resolve the crisis. In comments to MaltaToday on Sunday, the prime minister also said that Libya alone cannot make it and it is up to Europe and the whole world to resolve the rapidly deteriorating situation in the embattled country.

“The prime minister has been insisting for over a year that in the case of a country becoming a failed state which no one would be able to lead, it should be a respected institution like the UN to intervene and restore order and peace."

"Stability in the Mediterranean is crucial for stability in Europe so Malta is committed to continue to play its part," the government said.

The government also explained that Malta’s insistence also led to other countries, such as Italy, to declare itself ready to take action and intervene in Libya under a UN mandate. Italy’s announcement came hours after advances by a faction in Libya that has sworn loyalty to Islamic State militants on Friday.

“This message has delivered this message consistently in European for a as well as personally to Jean Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk and during other bilateral meetings, including with the British and Italian prime ministers, German Chancellor Angela Markel, the UNCHR and the UN,” the government said.