Update 2: George Abela meets Gonzi, Muscat

(Adds Dr Gonzi's comments)

George Abela this afternoon confirmed he had been asked to become the next President of Malta, saying he felt honoured to have been chosen.

Speaking at Castille after meeting Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Dr Abela said the political parties were showing great political maturity and putting the national interest before party interests.

He asked journalists not to request interviews at this time, saying there was only one President, and that was Dr Fenech Adami.

After his comments Dr Abela left for PL headquarters where he had a meeting with Joseph Muscat.

Earlier, the PL said its parliamentary group had backed Dr Abela for the presidency.

The PN parliamentary group also backed the nomination in a meeting this afternoon.

PL leader Joseph Muscat in a statement this afternoon said Dr Abela was a natural choice for Labour and his values were the party's values.

His nomination, he said, was an important achievement for the country because it enjoyed the support of both sides of the House.

Dr Muscat said Dr Abela was one of the names he had considered to propose to the Prime Minister and therefore he had reacted positively when Dr Gonzi had mentioned him.

“This is an occasion where we are showing the people that more than a past which divides us, we are interested in a future which unites us,” Dr Muscat said, adding that this development was in line with his promise of a new political season.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, speaking at a press conference this evening said this was a historic time for the country and the agreement reflected the political maturity it had achieved.

He said that while he would have preferred to announce the name closer to the end of the current presidential term ,but the name was being announced now to end speculation.

"George Abela is fully qualified for this role, he can serve it with prestige and dignity. The other names mentioned were worthy of this role too, but current times required this bold step," Dr Gonzi said.

The Prime Minister explained that although he had no constitutional obligation to consult the leader of the opposition, he wrote to Dr Muscat on December 29 proposing Dr Abela. The Labour leader requested some time to consult the party but they agreed on Dr Abela when they met last Friday.

It showed, Dr Gonzi said, that together everything was possible.

Dr Abela takes over from Dr Fenech Adami on April 4, becoming the eighth President of Malta.