It is understood that the trouble began at about 8.30am, when a group of inmates made their way towards the main gate after being let out for a morning stroll. However, AFM commander Carmel Vassallo explained that the immigrants were kept in two groups and only one of them – about 120 in all – took part in the protest.

It began quietly, but the detainees made their way towards the exit and all ran towards it in an uncoordinated rush.

The Army had already mobilised a riot response squad and soldiers barricaded the exit to the compound. Upon seeing this, the detainees aborted their attempt to escape and went to sit down in the parade square. However, before they calmed down properly, they threw bags of rubbish at the soldiers and some behaved provocatively.

Many held up banners and posters, with one of them summing up their main demand: “We want our freedom now!”

Reinforcements with full riot gear were called in and soldiers surrounded the immigrants, who by this time had calmed down considerably and were sitting quietly. In fact, the army did not even have to use any force and it was more or less a “stand-off”. The immigrants demanded to see the Malta UNHCR representative and one from the Emigrants’ Commission. Both requests were granted.

The situation was quiet throughout the impasse, and eventually the immigrants suddenly stood up with their banners and made their way back to their tents. It was observed that many of the immigrants littered the area profusely as they left (this could be seen through a telephoto lens).

Refugee Commissioner Charles Buttigieg was the first to leave the compound and said that the situation was more or less sorted out.

Mgr Philip Calleja emerged from the security perimeter at 12.45pm and told the media circus which had gathered that the immigrants’ demands were primarily related to getting their asylum applications processed quicker and to having better sanitary conditions and facilities. He said that over 100 had taken part in the protest.

All the relevant law enforcement bodies began to leave shortly afterwards in dribs and drabs: first, officers from the Special Assignment Group, then the Criminal Investigation Department and other regular constables. The AFM’s reinforcements then stood down and got back into their trucks before heading off to their respective barracks.

High-ranking Army officials then also left and Brigadier Carmel Vassallo took time out when leaving to brief the press on the situation. He confirmed what had been said by other commentators and said that the immigrants’ main complaint was that they wanted to be released. He also confirmed that they had demanded better sanitary facilities, but added that the Army was in the process of building toilets and showers. He said that other requests were also being considered.

Asked by The Malta Independent what had broken the deadlock, Brig. Vassallo said: “The presence of the negotiators definitely helped, coupled with the fact that we promised to look into all their claims.”

The situation was completely back to normal by 1.30pm.