Legal Notice 361, which allows members of foreign security teams to bear arms in Malta, will remain in effect indefinitely, The Malta Independent can confirm.

The notice was published in the Government Gazzette in the lead up to the Commonwealth Heads of State Meeting. It has been in effect for just over six weeks.

The issue came to light earlier this week, when Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi asked the question in parliament: “Now that the activity is over, can the government say whether it will be withdrawing the notice?”

The terse one word reply given by Minister Carmelo Abela was: “No.” The answer gave the impression that the government would not say whether or not it will be removed, however, the Home Affairs Ministry confirmed to this newsroom that it will remain in effect.

The assistance of British troops was engaged during the Valletta Migration Summit and GHOGM, given that Premier David Cameron was in the country for both events while Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the Royal Family were in Malta for the second one. The government said that it had requested the UK’s support and an agreement was announced on Monday 26 October. The HMS Bulwark berthed in Malta on 10 November. Legal Notice 361 was also published that same day.

At the time, the Foreign Ministry said there were no known specific threats to these events and these measures were precautionary.

 The government said: "The UK’s support to the Maltese security operation demonstrates the close and constructive relationship between Malta and the UK, as a result of our enduring ties and shared interests as members of the EU and the Commonwealth.”

The Government of Malta said it welcomed the contribution by the British Government “during these two important events”.

L.N. 361 of 2015 ARMS ACT (CAP. 480) Permits (Protection of Foreign Dignitaries) Regulations, 2015

In exercise of the powers conferred by article 65 of the Arms Act, the Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, has made the following regulations:-

1. The title of these regulations is the Permits (Protection of Citation. Foreign Dignitaries) Regulations, 2015.

2. In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires: Interpretation. "Act" means the Arms Act; Cap. 480. "ammunition" means the ammunition listed under item 10 of Part I of Schedule II to the Act; "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Police; "firearms" means the firearms listed under items 1 and 3 of Part I of Schedule II to the Act; "foreign dignitary" means any person present in Malta and who is a dignitary or a high official of a State other than Malta or of an international organisation recognised by the Minister for Foreign Affairs; "security officers" means officers employed by a foreign Government or by an international organisation whose competence to act as such has been certified by an authority outside Malta, who are authorised to carry firearms in the course of their duties outside Malta and who have been officially entrusted with the responsibility of providing protection services to a foreign dignitary visiting Malta.

3. (1) The Commissioner may in special circumstances issue a permit in terms of these regulations for the import and carriage of firearms and ammunition, for the purpose of the protection of the life and security of a foreign dignitary, to security officers accompanying foreign dignitaries whilst visiting Malta. (2) A request for a permit under these regulations shall be received through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and forwarded for processing by the Commissioner. The said permit may only be issued to security officers as defined in regulation 2. (4) In issuing a permit under these regulations the Commissioner may provide for such conditions, procedures or restrictions as he may deem appropriate. Permit not subject to a fee.

4. A permit issued under these regulations shall not be subject to a fee and will be for a specified period.