A concerned husband whose wife and children are stranded in Libya said today that the situation is far worse than what we are being told here in Malta by the foreign affairs ministry.

According to Noel Petroni, the ministry told him that the situation is fluid but calm.

Libya’s Health Ministry today announced that there are clashes between rival militias fighting for control of the international airport in the capital, Tripoli, killing 47. The weeklong battle over the airport is being waged by a powerful militia from the western city of Zintan, which controls the facility, and Islamist-led militias, including fighters from Misurata, east of Tripoli.

Mr Petroni, who said he has been struggling to find a way to reunite with his family for the past week, had a different story to tell to what the foreign affairs ministry is saying.

“When I contacted the Foreign Affairs ministry in Malta I was told that the office is monitoring the situation in Libya. Later I was told that the ministry set up a crisis response unit.

“My wife is in Tripoli with our two children; she told me that they are sleeping at 5am because of the bombing.

“She is telling my children that the bombs are fireworks but how long could she keep on kidding them.

“It is dangerous to go outside and she heard there are car bombs as well.”

Mr Petroni said that he has been told by the ministry that his wife and children can come back to Malta by means of a Medavia flight which is planning to leave Libya at 4 pm today.

But Mr Petroni has to pay a total of 780 euros and he hasn’t enough money in hand at the moment.

“I sent a letter to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on Friday evening and he told me that his office is to contact me but nobody has as yet.

“The situation could get worse and even an evacuation could be impossible if things are left too late.”

Libya helplines for Maltese nationals

Normal Line – 2204 2200 (when calling from Libya)

Freephone – 8007 2203 (when calling from Malta)

Emergency email – [email protected]

Skype - helplinemfa