Alleanza Bidla has again accused the Maltese government of scaremongering and giving out false information on the situation in Libya. Addressing a press conference this afternoon, Alleanza Bidla representative Ivan Grech Mintoff also announced that a planned visit to Tripoli has been put off for a few days.
Mr Grech Mintoff said a few days ago the "legitimate" Tripoli government invited officials of Alleanza Bidla to the Libyan capital in what will be the first meeting with Maltese representatives. It also invited the press to see first-hand the situation in Libya and Maltese businessmen.
The Libyan Charge d'Affaires in Malta, Mr Musrati, had also warned that visas issued by the Libyan Embassy in Ta' Xbiex will not be recognised by the Libyan authorities. Alleanza Bidla said this showed who the real Libyan government is, contrary to the claims of the Maltese government.
Yesterday, the United Nations tried to hold a meeting between the two sides by the Al-Thinni government called for a postponement. On the same day, the Maltese government issued worrying statement showing clear support to only one of the two parties. It said the statement was also riddled with inaccuracies and false information.
Mr Grech MIntoff thanked the 'legitimate' Libyan government, which according to him is recognised internationally, for inviting Alleanza Bidla to Libya. The political group accepted the invitation in order to fix the damage being caused to Maltese-Libya relations and because it wishes to see a healthy Libya. The press and a business delegation have also accepted the invitation.
The group said that, despite the government's scaremongering attempts, it wanted to push on with the visit, along with the press and the business delegation. The visit was scheduled for tomorrow. The government yesterday renewed its travel advice to Libya.
Mr Grech Mintoff said that, in order not to be accused of putting lives in danger, he has personally decided to put off the visit for a few days. People will in the meantime realise the real reason behind the timing of the government press release and if what the government was saying on the Libya situation was true.
He appealed to the "legitimate" Tripoli government to keep alive the process it has embarked on with the Maltese political group. He also urged the media to be faithful in its reportage of things that will be revealed in the coming days.
The Maltese government, he said, was persisting in its mistake and had taken a stance different to that taken by the EU.
Mintoff denies receiving funding from Tripoli government
Asked by this newsroom whether Alleanza Bidla has been offered any funding in return for its support of the Tripoli government, Mr Grech Mintoff flatly denied this.
He also refused to name the businessmen who will be accompanying him on the trip, saying all will be revealed during the trip.