A solution for Libya - a country gripped in a bitter power struggle and the emergence of Islamic State - has to be homegrown, UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said today.

Addressing a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech,Mr Hammond said the ISIS threat should serve as an impetus for Libya's warring sides to come together.

The UK Foreign Secretary, who is on a 12-hour stop in Malta, also called on the international community to act but said diplomacy should be given a chance.

"Libya is a clear and urgent priority," Mr Hammond said. Asked why the UK had taken part in an air campaign over Libya in 2011 but was seemingly holding back this time round, Mr Hammond said the air campaign at the time was necessary because of the imminent humanitarian crisis. "We took part in the air strike campaign to avoid a big massacre. This time round there are positive signs and we should first give time for a political solution. The emergence of ISIS in Libya should also serve as an impetus to both sides to come together and fight this threat. In the process, a united Libyan government would be securing a large part of the Mediterranean coast, which would benefit all of Europe. We need to invest in a unity government."

Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech also agreed on the need for a political solution but warned that "time is running out" and the international community has to act. "All Libyans should be on board for this. We have to give diplomacy a chance. If that fails the United Nations have to take stock of the situation and act."

The UK Foreign Secretary was also asked on the subject of migration and the apparent lack of will by larger countries, including the UK, to share the burden. "We believe that the migration problem should be tackled from the source, just like you would battle a disease. The priority is to address the problem areas, the point of departure for migrants. We should provide better economic opportunities for these people, reducing the pressures that force people to migrate." Mr Hammond said the UK operates a vast international aid programme that specifically targets countries where people migrate from."

Mr Grech said the EU's approach towards migration is "too little too late." Migration, he said, should be at the top of the EU's agenda, alongside the Libyan situation.

Mr Hammond and Mr Grech also spoke on bilateral relations between Malta and the UK in terms of the EU. The UK Foreign Secretary discussed the UK's proposals for EU reform. He is currently touring EU capital cities to push forward the proposals, which are aimed at making the union more effective and competitive in the global economy. The UK, he said, shares many of Malta's concerns on fiscal union but believes that, at some point, there needs to be a treaty change.  

The Deputy Prime Minister said the two had clashed on some of the UK's proposals but agreed that the EU cannot adopt a "one size fits all approach" and that fiscal legislation should remain in the competence of member states.

Mr Hammond also said he looked forward to a successful CHOGM later on this year and to a smooth transition into Malta's 2017 EU Presidency.

 

Photos: Jonathan Borg