A petition has been raised by a group to put pressure on Joseph Muscat to stay on as prime minister. 

"Joseph, Malta bżonnok" (Joseph, Malta needs you) is a campaign launched by the group which calls itself Interess ta' Malta, led by former General Workers' Union boss Tony Zarb, and former Labour officials Manuel Cuschieri and Guża Cassar.

"We believe the majority believe in Joseph Muscat's capabilities and we therefore feel we need to unite so that he continues leading the country on the right path," they told a news conference. They said people from all sectors of society acknowledge the Prime Minister's capabilities. 

The organisers hope they can present the petition to Dr Muscat in the shortest possible time. 

Dr Muscat has repeatedly declared since the last general election that he will not seek another term, and two terms as Prime Minister are enough. He has not, however, said when he will step down and whether he will step down from both the government and the party leadership.

Read: Joseph Muscat insists: I will step down by next election

Meanwhile, at least two ministers have started campaigning behind the scenes to step into the party and prime minister's role once Dr Muscat announces his retirement. 

The petition is available from here.