Malta's break with Gaddafi

Foreign minister Tonio Borg has announced Malta has sent its ambassador to Benghazi, to initiate formal talks and contacts with the Libyan transitional council’s head Mustapha Jalil.

Speaking at a foreign affairs committee meeting this afternoon in parliament, Borg said that in the wake of Camilleri’s visit to Benghazi, Malta is now considering opening a liaison office at the capital of the rebel-held zone.

The Prime Minister has already called on Gaddafi to step down and allow a peaceful transition, adding that Malta had done its utmost in terms of humanitarian assistance and imposed the sanctions as mandated by the UN.

Malta’s embassy in Tripoli stays open. “We are recognising the Libyan rebels as one sole interlocutor of the Libyan people – full recognition will come soon but only after the government consults with experts and takes into consideration the full political implications of this decision,” Borg said.

“It’s an important step for Malta. It establishes a rightful dialogue with the government-in-waiting.”

Labour shadow minister George Vella expressed the Opposition’s satisfaction and agreement with the handling of the situation by government. “We have no objection at setting up a rapport with the Libyan rebels,” he said.

The committee accepted in principle a suggestion by Labour MP Leo Brincat to invite Victor Camilleri, who is today heading a Maltese government delegation to Benghazi, to brief the committee both about his Libyan visit as well as about his coordinating role in connection with the 5+5 June Summit in Malta that has been postponed due to uncertainties in the region. Camilleri is known to have visited all member states of the grouping during the past weeks.

An impending visit by the Tunisian foreign minister on the mixed joint commission offers clues as to the need for Malta to resume talks with Libya over pending oil exploration matters, expert sources have told this newspaper.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi spoke to Dr Mahmoud Jibril, chairman of the executive board of the National Transitional Council of Libya. The Cabinet decided on Monday that Malta considers National Council as the sole legitimate interlocutor of the Libyan people.

“Dr Jibril described this decision as a very important step forward which the Libyan people will never forget. He added that while he hoped that the Maltese government will eventually decide to go for full recognition, this was a development that was very much appreciated,” the government said. 

Abdel Rahman Shalgam, Libya’s defected ambassador to the United Nations and today a senior representative of the Benghazi-based Transitional Council held meetings with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at Castille on May 25.

It was the first time since the beginning of the uprising in Libya, that the Maltese government officially be engaged in talks with the Transitional Council.

Last March, Libya’s rebel council had made formal contact with the Maltese government through a note verbale sent via a representative within the Arab League, committing itself to “honour and respect all international and regional agreements signed by the former Libyan government.”