Long and bumpy ride finally brings Americans, Maltese to safety in Malta

Two of the Virtu ferries chartered by the US Department of State arrived in Valletta after having left the port of Tripli some eight hours ago.

The first boat held 300 passengers, over half of which were American nationals. Passengers were allowed to board the ship on Wednesday but were forced to spend 48 hours on board before departure due to delays and adverse weather conditions.

Passengers disembarking were pleased to have arrived in Malta though they were clearly exhausted from the long journey. One Maltese passenger who spent seven years in Libya said: "the ride was very bumpy and a lot of people were severely seasick. We are pleased to be home, although I have every intention of returning to Libya when things clear up."

Passengers also said that Tripoli was relatively quiet while they were on the boat, although they could hear occassional gunfire. American ambassador to Malta Douglas Kmiec said that spirits were high throughout the trip despite the long wait and long trip.

One American passenger said: "I've been waiting for my ship to come in my entire life. It turns out it was the ship going out that turned out to be the most important."

Passengers were taken to a number of hotels to be flown out of Malta on various flights tomorrow morning. A further three ships are expected to come into Valletta port this evening including one with a british contingent, another with a Chinese contingent and another with a Brazilian contingent.