MEP Simon Busuttil praised the government for lending its support to the EUFOR Libya operation. “While it is not an easy decision to commit your country’s resources to support military humanitarian intervention, it is important that we continue to do what is humanly right and possible, and not what is politically convenient,” Dr Busuttil said.

The planned operation, under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), is a coordinated EU intervention in the Libyan crisis, “strictly within the remit of providing humanitarian intervention.” In particular EUFOR Libya would provide escort for humanitarian convoys, for the evacuation of humanitarian workers, security to the Misurata port, and long-term humanitarian aid, he said.