Your article entitled “Libyan energy minister did not ‘flee’ to Malta” (TMIS 21 August) was factually incorrect insofar as it referred to “a Malta-bound SOS Malta aid ship” on which former Libyan energy and industry minister Dr Fathi Ben Shatwan is meant to have escaped from Libya at the beginning of April.

In a statement issued and delivered to the press by SOS Malta on 8 April, SOS Malta disclaimed any ownership or other interest in the relevant ship. SOS Malta’s statement confirmed that the organisation participated in the domestic effort to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of Misurata on the ship that had left Malta for Misurata on 29 March.

SOS Malta was not, however, in any way concerned or involved with the ship’s return journey to Malta.

Still, once SOS Malta became aware, by virtue of press reports, that the ship may have operated on a non-humanitarian basis on its said return journey to Malta, particularly in the light of Dr Shatwan’s alleged escape aboard the ship, SOS Malta announced, in its statement, that it was, regrettably, temporarily suspending its participation in any efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Libya.

Such temporary suspension was deemed necessary in order to preserve SOS Malta’s commitment to the core principles of humanitarian aid, namely neutrality, impartiality, saving lives and alleviating suffering.

Having obtained appropriate guarantees, SOS Malta resumed its humanitarian activities in connection with the Libyan conflict and has since sent over 500 tons of aid.

Claudia Taylor-East

Director

SOS Malta