Joe Cassar to be next ambassador to Libya

Ambassador Joe Cassar is to be Malta's next ambassador to Libya and his appointment will come into effect on January 1, 2005, The Times has learnt.

He will replace Richard Vella Laurenti who will be posted to Cairo.

Dr Cassar, who is at present ambassador to Russia, is considered a seasoned diplomat and served as ambassador to Italy from 1999 to 2002, Malta's permanent representative to the United Nations in New York from 1993 to 1996 and Malta's permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva from 1991 to 1993.

Malta is keen to continue to strengthen its relations with Libya especially in view of Tripoli's opening up to the outside world. Foreign Minister Michael Frendo's first bilateral visit since his appointment two months ago was in fact to the Libyan capital.

Foreign Ministry sources say Dr Cassar's appointment to Libya is a reflection of the importance Malta attaches to improving its relations with that country.

A political appointee, Dr Cassar was editorial director of Independence Press between 1985 and 1991 and president of the Nationalist Party's administrative council from 1988 to 1991. He was a visiting professor at St Johns University in New York between 1997 and 1999. Dr Cassar holds a doctorate in political science from the Catholic University of Milan, where he specialised in international relations.

Dr Vella Laurenti's tour of duty in Tripoli ended a few weeks ago. However this was extended until the end of the year.

The Foreign Ministry sources told The Times that Ambassador Vella Laurenti had done a very good job in Libya and had worked hard to consolidate Malta's relations with Tripoli.