Libyan coastguard patrol boat repaired in Malta

A Libyan coastguard patrol boat was recently returned to the Libyan authorities following repair works in Malta, the government said on Monday.

The Home Affairs Ministry said in a statement that this initiative further reinforced cooperation between the two countries in their efforts to fight human trafficking.

Addressing a ceremony during which the vessel Al Kifah was formally handed back to the Libyan authorities, Minister Glenn Bedingfield described the handover as an important milestone in the longstanding relationship between the two countries.

He said that the decline in irregular arrivals demonstrates the importance of coordinated action and close collaboration between countries facing common challenges.

Referring to the Al Kifah, Bedingdfield said the investment reflected Malta’s commitment to maritime security and its practical support in maintaining operational capabilities across the central Mediterranean.

However, he added, border security measures alone could not resolve migration challenges and argued that greater attention must be given to addressing the root causes that compel people to leave their countries and undertake dangerous journeys.

Prevention should remain at the heart of migration policy, he said, reiterating the need for a clear and consistent message that irregular migration was not a viable pathway.