(Adds statement by leader of the Opposition)
The government has decided that Malta will not be used as a base for the enforcement of a no-fly zone over Libya, the Prime Minister said this afternoon.
Dr Gonzi said the government’s priority was the security of the country and its people and its decisions were based on this consideration.
Over the past three weeks, he said, the country had given its contribution for the evacuation of workers from Libya. The last, small, group of Maltese who had wanted to leave Libya did so today. Some 16,000 workers from almost 100 nationalities had been brought to Malta from Libya on their way home.
Malta had also worked with other countries in the evacuation of workers stranded on the Libya-Tunisia workers.
Referring to yesterday’s decision by the UN Security Council, Dr Gonzi said sanctions against Libya had been extended and the Council had authorised a No-Fly zone and other measures necessary to safeguard the civil population in Libya.
Such a decision was binding on all countries of the United Nations. It was also in keeping with Malta’s constitution.
Malta would observe its obligations but it would not be used as a military base for the enforcement of a no-fly zone.
He hoped that the enforcement of a no flight zone would not be necessary once there was a ceasefire.
He said the Libyan Prime Minister had personally phoned him to tell him that a ceasefire had been declared. He replied that in order to the ceasefire to be credible, the Libyan government needed to withdraw all weapons used against the people. He also expressed the concerns of the EU about the violence used against the Libyan people.
The Libyan prime minister asked him to see the whole picture in Libya. Dr Gonzi said he replied that the statement of a ceasefire could only be credible if violence on the people was stopped by the withdrawal of the heavy weapons deployed in the towns and streets of Libya.
Nonetheless, Dr Gonzi said, the position of the Maltese government was that Malta would continue to observe its humanitarian role.
Dr Gonzi said Malta had not been asked to serve as a base, and should a request be made, its reply would be that it could not be used to enforce the no-fly zone.
Asked whether Malta might be seen as sitting on the fence, Dr Gonzi said Malta's commitment did not stem from being a base for the enforcement of a no-fly zone because there were other alternatives and there were other methods how Malta defended the interests and aspirations of the Libyan people.
We will not be used as a base when there is no reason or purpose for this, Dr Gonzi said.
With regard to Malta's Flight Information Region, he said Malta was obliged to give its clearance.
Should there be an 'unpleasant surprise from Libya, he said Malta did not feel the need to request help, but it was confident of such help, should it be needed, from the EU.
He said Malta was never threatened by Libya in any way other than, during the talks on the freedom of the Dutch helicopter crew, when a Libyan official suggested a swap with the two Libyan fighter jets currently in Malta. Malta had refused.
OPPOSITION LEADER'S STATEMENT
Labour leader Joseph Muscat in a separate statement also said the PL believed Malta should not be used as a military base and no planes on their way to attack another country should be allowed to leave from Malta.
At the same time, the country was duty bound and should respect the resolution of the United Nations Security Council.
Dr Muscat said Malta should continue to focus on its role as a centre of humanitarian assistance.
He said that in these circumstances, national security should be given utmost priority in all decisions that were taken.