Prime Minister Joseph Muscat today said Malta will not support unilateral military action in Libya.
Speaking after a meeting with EU Council President Donald Tusk, Dr Muscat said any calls for military action without a unity government’s supports are “premature.”
Such action will only be taken if the Libyans request it, and if done through a UN resolution.
“Europe must take the lead but not on its own, with support from the Arab world. What has been decided so far is seeing how Europe can intervene if and when asked,” Dr Muscat said.
He spoke of the need for a European reaction to the Libyan crisis rather than unilaterally action by member states.
Dr Muscat said he is satisfied with the EU’s commitment to “this side of the world,” and the problems in Europe’s eastern and southern region should not “compete” with each other.
The Prime Minister said he would like to see both problems on the agenda during the new few Council meetings.
Dr Muscat said he does not want to sound alarmist, but the figures clearly show that instability in Libya results in more migration flows.
Mr Tusk said there is no “silver bullet” solution for the current anarchy in Libya.
“The most important thing today is support, and we fully support the UN talks. Without a national unity government we have no chance to stabilise the situation in Libya.”
"My purpose is to build a strong and united response to instability in the Mediterranean. Only together can we tackle its root causes like poverty and failed states. Only a united Europe can handle the consequences of instability like irregular migration and terrorism. This is why I put matter on European Council agenda
"The commitment to help to end this human tragedy is very strong. What is less clear is how we can help. We need to come up with new and creative solutions and not just stick to old ideas.
"That is why I am here. To listen, to learn what more the EU can do about the instability in the southern region . Malta suffers symptoms of this on a daily basis, particularly when it comes to irregular migration. The EU has a responsibility to help those in danger, but what is most important for us is the security of member state countries like Malta," Mr Tusk said.
He said he had a “good exchange” with Dr Muscat on how to the EU can step up action to counter terrorism in the region.
Such terrorist groups threaten North Africa, “and by extension Europe, he warned.
The lack of institutions leave space for terrorism to expand, Mr Tusk said, and as agreed in the last European council meeting the EU must stand ready to help Libyans in this transition.
“All interlocutors exclude military intervention without the agreement of the two Libyan camps.
"Our experiences after the first intervention in Libya are not promising, we have to use new tools and mechanisms. Solutions need to be permanent and not just a one-time action," Mr Tusk said.
Earlier
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat today met with European Council President Donald Tusk at Castille.
Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech and Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella were present for the meeting.
The talks are expected to centre on the crisis in Libya and its regional and international dimension, the prevention and fight against illegal migration flows and terrorist threats.
Dr Muscat and Mr Tusk will address a press conference after the meeting.
Photo by Jonathan Borg