The moment the news broke that former Army Captain Martin Galea was abducted in Libya, Malta was on tenterhooks. It really rammed home the closeness of the situation. Here was a man with family and loved ones in Malta who had been kidnapped by Libyan militia and had not been seen, nor heard from in over a week.

In 2011, the Libya crisis spilled over to Malta. At first, it was just waves of foreign workers. But then, things got serious. The Royal Air Force used one of their rough terrain aircraft – a Hercules – to mount a daring rescue of foreign nationals who were stuck at desert installations. A Maltese man was among them.

Then came the siege of Misurata, which was only relieved when Maltese vessels docked in the harbour and unloaded much needed medical supplies, fresh water and baby items. Following Gaddafi’s ouster, the Misurata City Council expressed its undying gratitude to Malta for having organised the daring run and transporting wounding fighters for treatment at Mater Dei.

The way in which Capt. Galea’s release  was secured was quiet and understated. When the news broke, the Prime Minister made a statement in parliament and said that the government would be working to secure his release, but said that no information would be given on the issue until Capt. Galea was safely in Maltese hands. We could not have agreed more. On the day of his release, the government kept all the media informed – to the very end – of what was going on. The only thing that was asked – not imposed – was for the media to not publish any information until Capt. Galea was safe and sound. This was respected by the media and was a clear show of trust in the government’s ability to handle the crisis and respect for the abducted person and his loved ones.

The government has hinted that unknown Libyan’s sympathetic to Malta got directly involved to secure Capt. Galea’s release. With the Zintan militia and Misurata militias battling it out in Tripoli for control of the airport, one possible hypothesis could have been that Misurata came back and delivered on a promise to assist Malta and any Maltese in times of need.

Another crucial link in the whole puzzle was Consul Marisa Farrugia. Up till recently, she was suspended in connection with an alleged visa racket in Libya. But, as Capt. Galea himself put it, he owes his life to her. There is no doubt that Ms Farrugia has the on the ground knowhow in Libya and was instrumental in securing Capt. Galea’s release. But it begs the question, what will now become of her? Will she be reinstated by this government? There is no doubt that her contact base and knowhow will be of assistance to the government if a full blown crisis does erupt in Libya.

But to go back to the issue in question, the government and all the entities that were involved deserve praise for their handling of the situation. A job well done, and the happiest of endings to a harrowing ordeal.