The high profile visits by US Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton and UK Foreign Secretary William Hague show that Malta is in demand, powerful nations want close ties.

When the Libya conflict first broke out, this newspaper was among those that questioned the government’s cautious approach. We felt that Malta should have played a larger and more direct role. But we accept, now, that the government’s approach was the right one, the correct one and one which has paid dividends. In short, we were overzealous.

One must also accept that these large nations do have other motives, in terms of wanting to do business with the new Libya and using Malta as a gateway to the oil-rich nation. But, we must also accept that, for lack of a better term, Malta ‘done good’. We may be tiny and we may have lived in the shadow of Gaddafi for 40-odd years, but our performance throughout the whole campaign is to be lauded. Let us just take stock of the situation.

Malta channeled thousands of people through our ports, allowing foreign workers who were trapped in Libya to get out and back to their anxious families. In this country, where efficiency often leaves much to be desired, a superhuman effort was made and everyone got back to their homes and families, from Brazil to China.

Malta also allowed the UK’s Royal Air Force and its Special Air Service (SAS) to mount a daring rescue whereby a Hercules took off from Malta International Airport to rescue Britons and Maltese stranded in remote desert oil outposts.

Malta also kept tabs on Libya’s Gaddafi leadership, staying on the phone, quite literally, and reporting anything of note back to other international leaders. At the time, many criticised the PM for taking such calls, but in hindsight, it was absolutely necessary.

Malta also allowed two Libyan fighter bombers to land here when the pilots decided they would not bomb their own people. In addition, our country took the risk of turning back a Libyan aircraft which contained pilots to take those same bombers back.

Malta also allowed numerous jets to land here when they developed faults or ran out of fuel. This needs to be put into context, and it’s not about neutrality. No one, we repeat, no one, could have or should have remained neutral in the midst of such barbaric oppression. What Malta did do, was not allow missions to be staged from Malta, and this, in hindsight, was also wise. We look back at the PM’s argument that Malta only had one airport, and he is right. While it would have been commendable, it would certainly have become too much if strike jets were flying in and out, mingling with commercial traffic and tourists at the height of summer.

Malta also shipped tons of aid to Libya through its ports, transporting much needed aid and medical supplies to reach Libyan citizens. Malta is also treating Libyans, fighters and civilians, who were injured in the conflict. This is to be praised and lauded, and any talk of Maltese people losing out on treatment because of these admissions, is xenophobic, selfish and belongs in the gutter. We did ourselves proud.