“Malta continues to reiterate that a military offensive is not a viable solution and calls on all parties to refrain from the direct targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, which constitutes a direct violation of International Humanitarian Law and the Human Rights Convention.”
In an interview with The Libya Observer, Maltese Ambassador for Libya Charles Saliba said his country is deeply saddened with the resulting fatalities, injuries and displacement of thousands of Libyans from Tripoli.
Saliba said that preserving human life is of paramount importance and a principle, which should be strictly observed by the warring parties.
Ambassador Saliba expressed support for the United Nation’s action plan in Libya and to the efforts of United Nations Special Representative, Ghassan Salame, to settle the Libyan crisis, calling for a ceasefire and return to the political track.
He was quoted saying “Adopting a ceasefire would, therefore, be essential in continuing this same political process, for the benefit of the Libyan people.”
Ambassador Saliba confirmed that Malta was active in supporting the pivotal necessity to achieve normalisation and eventually stability and dialogue in Libya and to see an active role taken by the EU towards this path.
Asked about the concerns of the influx of migrants towards Europe, he said his country continues to monitor the situation closely in case the recent wave of violence leads to an increase in migration and to a reduction in the operations of the Libyan Coast Guard.
will act according to the unfolding developments.” He replied.
“The EU stands ready to support Libya in its process towards stabilisation, at its request. All European countries must work collectively to prevent increasing security threats to Europe,” he said.
