Dr Gonzi was asked by The Malta Independent on Sunday for his comments on the developing story worldwide after photos showing the degrading treatment of Iraqi prisoners by coalition forces, mainly American and British, surfaced in the media.

At his press conference on Friday, when asked for his comment, Dr Gonzi had preferred to remain noncommittal, but it later transpired this was because the question was not put in a sufficiently intelligible manner.

Dr Gonzi continued: “Such acts besides being truly abhorrent, do not help the Iraqi community to have confidence in the assistance being provided by the international community to establish an Iraqi democracy through self-governance.

“It is therefore in everyone's interest to ensure that such acts do not occur and that those who breach established good practice be brought to justice.

“We are confident that the vast majority of the security forces in Iraq do their job honourably and professionally.”