The government said that while in one sentence Labour leader Alfred Sant said that the government was not doing enough to control the influx of illegal immigrants, he also said that there were factors over which the government had no control.

It said that while Dr Sant said that the problem of illegal immigration was worrying several families in Malta and Gozo, he also said that the government and the Maltese people had to show solidarity with these people who needed help.

The government statement said the opposition had no idea of the national interest with regard to illegal immigration and was instead making political mileage out of this human tragedy.

The statement also mentioned an idea proposed by Italy and Malta that all EU member states share the burden of those countries who are most affected by this problem. It said government was looking at the problem in a holistic manner and in the best interests of the country.