Former EU Commissioner John Dalli yesterday told this newspaper that the events unfolding in Libya are due to a big mistake committed three years ago, which has left Libya with the problems it faces today.

Mr Dalli had made a statement on the issue back in 2011 when he was still an EU Commissioner, “and I  have been proved right”, he said yesterday.

Tense fighting and upheaval in Libya is a cause of great concern for people around the world, however, particularly strikes at economical and emotional nerves here in Malta.

There are quite a number of Maltese who live and work in Libya, on oil rigs as well as in hospitals. Another issue of great concern must be mentioned, that of illegal immigration, with Europe seeing a rise in irregular migrants crossing the Mediterranean.

“What happened then not only destroyed Libya, but also the security of Malta,” Mr Dalli adamantly explained to this newsroom.

Back during the 2011 Libyan revolution, Mr Dalli was scrutinised by the press for certain comments he made during a press conference relating to Gaddafi.

Mr Dalli had told media that he believed Gaddafi should make his own decisions. “He has the assessment of the people, as he has said on TV … I think Gaddafi has made the first attempt towards conciliation but now he is feeling himself on uneasy ground and is looking for a way out”.

He had argued that the US admitted that they have lost the race for information in Libya and that the way information is getting out, through media, was problematic. “Sometimes doubt creeps into one’s head when seeing people speaking perfect English and hoisted up by a group of people made to look like a crowd. I wonder if they might be shots ‘created’ for journalists.”

This resulted in Mr Dalli’s portrayal of being pro Gaddafi. He later gave comments to the media and said that the media misinterpreted his arguments.

At the time of this comment back in 2011, the European Commission had taken a stance against the Gaddafi regime.

Mr Dalli had said that some of his remarks were taken out of context, emphasising his position as firmly behind The European Commission President at the time.

The main point he was trying to make, he said, was strongly condemning any violence and that Mr Gaddafi should have followed the will of his people.

Currently, Libya is in a state of all out internal warfare, with various militia factions vying for power. Artillery fire, mortar shells and constant fighting can be seen around the country and has also resulted in the kidnapping of a Maltese citizen, who was brought home safely after 11 days in captivity earlier this week.