Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al Thinni together, with the majority of his cabinet, has landed at the Malta International Airport for a series of talks with the government on issues ranging from education, economy and services. They were welcomed by prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
In a press briefing, OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri and OPM communications coordinator Kurt Farrugia said that last Sunday Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was notified that a delegation of approximately 15 persons, which include Libyan ministers and Libyan advisors, were expected to come in the coming hours.
According to Mr Schembri this is the first official visit that the Libyan Prime Minister is doing in an EU country and the reason why they chose Malta is because it is the best avenue through which "their voice in Europe" could be heard. Mr Farrugia added that another reason why Malta was their first port of call outside Africa is because of "our long political allegiance" with the country. The Tobruk government is the only government that Malta together with the EU recognize because it was elected democratically.
Mr Schembri stated that the government did not announce this visit before because of security threats both for our country and the Libyan delegation. Their visit is expected to last between 48 and 72 hours and a number of meetings will be held with Dr Muscat and other Maltese ministers. The Maltese government is making sure that all security measures are taken.
When asked if the European Union was informed about this visit, Mr Schembri confirmed that the government did it in an unofficial way because the meetings to be held are of a bilateral nature. He also added that so far no requests had been received from EU Prime Ministers or other EU officials to meet the Libyan delegation during their stay. On the other hand the United States were not informed with this visit.
The Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil was informed by Dr Muscat about the Libyan delegation's visit on Sunday evening.
Mr al Thinni arrived on a private jet and for security reasons it is not known where the delegation is being accommodated.
The Libyan ministers in Malta include Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Services Mr AbdelSalam al-Badri, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Mohammed Al Dayri, Minister of Economy and Investment Mr Manbar Asr, Minister of Education Mr Fathi al Magbari and Minister of Information Mr Omar Alqoira.
Photographs: Jonathan Borg.