The Maltese government is “concerned” by recent developments in Derna, Libya, where militants have declared an Islamic caliphate and pledged allegiance to IS, or Islamic State.

Photo and video evidence of militants parading in the streets of the Libya port city with IS flags flying from their pickup trucks surfaced in the past few days.

The parade was organised by Ansar al-Shariah, which is accused by Washington of killing US Ambassador Chris Stevens at the 2012 Benghazi consulate attack. IS has already declared an Islamic Caliphate in parts of Syria and Iraq but seems intent on expanding its territories across North African countries as well.

In comments to The Malta Independent this week, Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella said he is concerned by the negative development.

"We are closely following the situation. We have been doing so ever since the Libyan revolution and the recent troubles. We are concerned from a security, work and business point of view."

Dr Vella said Libya was already facing a military threat, caused by several armed factions who were, until a few weeks ago, fighting over control of Tripoli's airport and other parts of the country. Now, the Islamic threat is also becoming stronger.

Whilst acknowledging that security matters do not fall under his remit, Dr Vella said he had been assured that "everyone is keeping their eyes open."

Malta has also introduced stricter security measures, monitoring movements in and out of the country. "We are not only focusing on people coming from Libya as people might have dual passports."

When asked if any EU states had pressured Malta to step up security measures, the Minister said this was not a question of pressure but of cooperation. "I have no doubt that our security forces are doing all they can and cooperating with neighbouring countries. We certainly do not want terrorist cells to sprout in our country or our neighbours." The Minister also noted that, despite that Libya is a neighbouring country, Malta may not be the only entry point for Islamic militants who want to infiltrate EU countries. "Just look at Italy where more than 50 suspected militants have entered from other European countries."

Dr Vella was asked whether the Maltese authorities were in contact with the Libyan government over the recent developments. The Foreign Minister noted that Malta officially recognises the democratically elected Parliament, which is currently based in Tobruk. However, talks with other factions are not being excluded. Libya currently has two parliaments; the official one based in Tobruk and the Islamist-based parliament in Tripoli, which was appointed after the recent violence.

Dr Vella said Malta is among a small number of nations who have appointed special envoys on Libya. Joseph Mangion in fact represented Malta during UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon's visit to Libya last week. Talks were also held with Tobruk MPs earlier this month in New York.