Victim in stable condition

Two policemen who were involved in the fatal shooting of a Libyan national in a hostage drama on Tuesday night were yesterday being treated for shock, police sources said.

Meloud Ghmaa Ashor Salem died instantly when he was shot by police following a standoff.

The Libyan had tried to force his way into a home in Luqa where his former wife lived, but her parents did not let him in. He then made his way to the roof of the house and tried to climb down to the balcony.

When the police called at the scene, he ran across the roofs of other houses. He then grabbed 72-year-old Giovanni Camilleri, a neighbour of his wife's family, and took him hostage.

Camilleri was stabbed several times and the Libyan was shot as he was trying to throw his hostage off the roof.

When contacted, Police Commissioner John Rizzo said they were prepared to offer psychological or any other assistance to police officers involved in Tuesday's incident.

"Any kind of help will be offered if it is needed. An inquiry is under way and we shall await its outcome. But from the information we have so far, it appears that the police were cautious and fired only as a last resort. From the information I have, the policemen acted correctly," Mr Rizzo said.

Informed sources said several people gave evidence before inquiring magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima late on Tuesday night and yesterday morning.

Several witnesses are reported to have told the inquiring magistrate that they saw the Libyan using Mr Camilleri as a shield, and that he was shot by police while he was trying to jump off the ledge of a two-storey home.

Police sources said Mr Camilleri was in a stable condition after undergoing surgery. He sustained four stab wounds and had to have part of his intestines removed.

Camilleri also suffered bruises as he was repeatedly hit on the head with the butt of the knife by the Libyan.

Witnesses told the inquiring magistrate they heard three shots and when they realised the old man was safe, they burst into a round of applause.

Other witnesses are reported to have been surprised that the police had not shot the Libyan before.

Some people at the scene told police they were prepared to get their own shotguns. Others, fearing for the old man's life, repeatedly urged the police to shoot much earlier, sources said.