The government has finally admitted that the situation in Libya is escalating rapidly and is working hard to be prepared for the eventuality that Malta could once again be heavily involved in a mass evacuation exercise as was the case three years ago.

After Foreign Minister George Vella in the past days had downplayed the situation, the reports that have continued to arrive from Tripoli – especially the abduction of Maltese worker Martin Galea, which was made public last Friday although the former AFM captain had been taken a week earlier – has forced the government into taking a deeper look into what needs to be done for Malta to be ready.

This morning, it was the task of government civil service chief Mario Cutajar to finally admit that the government is seeing an escalation of trouble in the nearby North African country. Mr Cutajar noted that the situation is different than that of 2011, and the government needs to rely on contacts in Libya.

Addressing journalists in a hastily called up press conference at Castille, Mr Cutajar said that the government is preparing for the worst case scenarios. Areas at Hal Far are being cleared up to make way for big tents that could be used for people who are brought over to Malta. Organizations such as the Red Cross are prepared for the possibility of coming over and setting up in Malta.

There is also a chance that a ship could be turned into a hospital to cater for medical needs. Three Libyans have already been brought over to Malta for treatment, but the number could increase in the next few days. Mr Cutajar confirmed that the three Libyans brought over to Malta yesterday are in a critical condition, with one of them at a risk of dying.

Furthermore, the government is planning out how the harbour would be managed, and where additional ships would be berthed. Mr Cutajar added that the time period makes the situation more challenging, given hotels are packed during Summer.

Asked about the plight of Mr Galea and whether he is still alive, Mr Cutajar would not give any information, just saying that "it is a critical situation". He said that at this point, he refuses to comment due to ‘security’ reasons, and eventually information will be released. Asked whether foreign governments are involved in the rescue operation, again Mr Cutajar chose not comment.

Mr Galea was abducted on his way to work on 17 July, but the kidnapping was revealed only last Friday, with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat making a ministerial declaration in Parliament before the House discussed a motion on Libya presented by the Opposition.

100 Maltese citizens are still located in Libya; however Mr Cutajar said it was their decision to remain there. The government has contact information for all 100 citizens.

Asked about the fact that flights from Libya to Malta had to be paid for by the passengers themselves, Mr Cutajar replied that given it’s a commercial flight, and not part of an evacuation process, there is no other way around it. Up until this point, there is no indication that another flight will take place today.

In the meantime, the Maltese government is receiving conflicting information as to which airspaces are closed or not, with Mr Cutajar making reference to Mitiga and Misurata airspaces.

Virtu Ferries managing director Henri Saliba, told this newsroom that while assets are still on standby in case the need arises to evacuate foreign and Maltese citizens from Tripoli, the company had no request for operations as yet. Mr Saliba added, that for operations to be initiated, foreign governments need first send out a formal request.

Over the past few weeks The Malta Independent has been in the forefront in reporting on the difficult problems Maltese people were facing in Tripoli, especially those who wanted to leave the country.

The government, for its part, had repeatedly said that there was no cause for alarm and no need for Maltese citizens to leave Libya.

Three years ago, under a Nationalist administration, Malta had played a vital role in the evacuation of thousands of foreigners who had been forced to leave Libya following the uprising which led to the ouster and eventual death of former leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Malta had then immediately recognised the perils of the revolution and how it could affect foreigners wanting to leave Libya. Then Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had earned the accolades of various countries for the way Malta handled the situation.

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