Malta Denies Libyan Reports That PM Flew To Island Seek Political Refuge
The Maltese government has denied reports in sections of the Libyan press that Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah flew to Malta to seek political refuge.
In a statement yesterday, the Embassy of Malta in Libya said that Libyan media houses, including Libya News Today, published misleading and fake news about Malta.
“The Maltese Embassy in Tripoli confirms that after consulting the competent authorities in Malta it confirmed that there were no senior Libyan officials who landed by plane in Malta through diplomatic authorisation over the last few days,” the embassy said.
“It is a shame to spread such misinformation and try to detract from the good relations that have always been cultivated between the Maltese and Libyan people.”
Violent protests have broken out on the streets of Tripoli in recent days, with demonstrators calling for Dbeibah’s resignation. Several Maltese people were evacuated from the country.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg said that Malta is following developments in Libya with concern and urges calm and dialogue in the interest of the Libyan people.
“While most Maltese nationals were evacuated last night, we stand ready to assist anyone in need and remain in close contact with our partners,” he said.