Foreign Minister Tonio Borg insisted this evening that Malta would not be used as a military base for actions against Libya or any other country because that was forbidden by the Constitution.

He explained on Bondiplus that Malta could only be used for military purposes for self-defence or in terms of a decision by the UN Security Council with the consent of the Maltese government.

He said that Malta was not involved in last week's operation where UK diplomats were inserted into Eastern Libya along with special forces, even though, Dr Borg observed, the purpose of that mission was diplomatic rather than military.

Questioned on comments made last week by European Commissioner John Dalli, Dr Borg said Mr Dalli was not a member of the government.

He agreed with him that the European model of democracy could not be imposed on Libya, but perhaps Mr Dalli was too guarded in equating the Libyan government with the rebels. Even if the Gaddafi regime survived, the situation would certainly not be what it was in the past, Dr Borg said.

EVACUATIONS REACH 15,331

Meanwhile, the government said today that evacuations from Libya to Malta have reached 15,331. A total of 10,820 were evacuated to Malta on ships and 4,511 on aircraft.