The left-wing group Moviment Graffitti staged a protest at Grand Harbour on Saturday against the visit of the UK frigate HMS Montrose, insisting that welcoming warships sends the wrong message.

When Malta accepted ships such as the HMS Montrose, which coordinated British troops during the 2003 Iraq invasion, "we are being accomplices in such wars by accepting the logic of violent conflict".

"In the Maltese Constitution there is stated that Malta is a neutral country and that it should actively pursue peace," spokesman Chris Mizzi said, arguing that the case for active neutrality is made relevant again by new tensions between big countries such as Russia, the US and Iran.

The movement questioned how the country could say it worked for peace while welcoming the machinery of war.