New Malta-Libya society seeks to strengthen relations

A Malta-Libya Friendship Society has been set up, aiming "to further strengthen the good neighbourly relationship that exists between the two countries".

President Emeritus Guido de Marco and Buzejd Dorda, former Prime Minister of Libya, have accepted to offer their patronage to the society, the new organisation said.

The primary aim of the society is to strengthen the friendship between the peoples of Malta and Libya through activities and events that serve to foster greater knowledge of the social, cultural and historic aspects of both nations.

The society will encourage exchanges between residents in Malta and Libya in order to enhance bilateral relations and intensify dialogue in areas related to education, culture, sport and other social activities.

George Cassar, who is also chairman and managing director of the Libyan Arab Maltese Holding Company Limited, was elected president of the society while Abdulhazak Zmirli, managing director of Mediterranean Aviation Company Limited (Medavia) and deputy chief executive of the Corinthia Group, was elected vice-president.

Hassan Tarhuni, general manager of Golden Tulip Vivaldi Hotel was elected secretary and Ray Busuttil, executive vice-president for business development and financial institutions at Fimbank plc, was elected treasurer. All four officers will serve for a period of two years.

The other members elected to sit on the first council are George Barbaro Sant, of Alberta Limited, Hugh Arrigo of Attard & Co. Industrial Limited, Alfred Fabri, of Corinthia Group, Adrian Said of EMCS Limited, Abdalla M. El Fergani, Lafico's representative in Malta, Mulum Salem Daman of the Libyan Arab Maltese Holding Company Limited, Mabrouk Elkarraz of Medelec Switchgear Limited, Hadi Lawar of Mediterranean Power Electric Limited, Mehemmed Izziddin Bek Derna, secretary general of the Maltese-Arab Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture and Adrian Hillman, of Allied Newspapers Limited.

George Papagiorcopulo was entrusted with coordinating public relations.

The society accepts both corporate and individual members and invites all those in Malta and in Libya who believe in, or who are interested in pursuing, its aims and objectives to join.

For more information on how to join and to receive a membership form, one may contact either the treasurer, Ray Busuttil on 2132 2100, or the secretary, Hassan Tarhuni, on 2137 8100.

Alternatively, one may send an e-mail to them on ray.busuttil@fimbank.com or htarhuni@goldentulipvivaldi.com.

The society shall also be setting up a branch in Libya and Tajjeb el Safi, chairman of the Libyan company Nasco, has offered office support.