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On Tuesday, May 31, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi informed the Chairman of the Transitional National Council (TNC) of Libya and Head of International Affairs of the Executive Board, Mahmoud Jibril, that Malta has recognised the TNC of Libya as "the sole legitimate interlocutor of the Libyan people". Chairman Jibril is reported to have said that whilst he is looking forward to Malta's full recognition, this decision is a very important step forward which the Libyan people will never forget.
Malta is to open a liaison office in Benghazi. A Maltese government delegation, led by Ambassador Victor Camilleri as special envoy, has already gone to Benghazi to meet with the TNC. It will also meet EU officials in Benghazi to prepare for the setting up of the Maltese liaison office. Malta is the third EU state to formally end diplomatic relations with the Gheddafi regime. On the other hand, although the Maltese government now recognises the TNC as "the sole legitimate interlocutor of the Libyan people", it has still not formally recognised the TNC as the government of Libya. This apparently fine distinction is an important one in practice, as it enables the Maltese government not to request the closing down of the Libyan embassy in Malta for the time being.
Maltese foreign affairs minister Tonio Borg, speaking after the announcement, insisted that Malta would not participate in military action but was offering its services for humanitarian purposes, including the provision of hospital services. Qatar had offered to assist in this regard. Australia is also planning to offer humanitarian aid to Libya through Malta. Moreover, the United Nations is using Malta as a stopover of its flights to Benghazi. The Maltese delegation travelled to Benghazi on a UN flight from Malta. Read the official statement.
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