70 of the 266 irregular immigrants who entered Malta on 28 June have been repatriated on Tuesday by means of a chartered flight to Cairo, a Department of Information statement said yesterday.

This initial process of repatriation was made possible by means of a collaborative effort between ministries for Home Affairs and of Foreign Affairs and the Parliamentary Secretariat within the Office of the Prime Minister.

A coordinated operation between the Police Force and the Armed Forces of Malta made it possible for the repatriation to start in less than a week since the arrival of the immigrants.

The government publicly acknowledged the help and immediate cooperation from the Egyptian government, offered through its embassy in Malta.

This immediate help is a manifestation of the excellent solid relations existing between the two countries, the DOI said.