Updated | Malta crisis committee in steps for possible mass evacuation from Libya

MaltaToday is informed that government is undertaking all the necessary preparations in the eventuality of a mass evacuation of foreigners from Libya.

A government spokesperson confirmed that “an inter-ministerial coordination crisis centre on the Libya situation has been set up and has been meeting regularly for the past two weeks.”

With the situation in Libya worsening after the start of Ramadan, the Maltese government is in the process of creating receptions centres, including a centre at Ta Kandja, which could possibly host evacuees on a temporary basis.

If the situation in Libya does not improve, foreign companies based in the oil-rich North African nation, might decide to evacuate hundreds of workers to Malta.

However, since this could happen in the midst of summer, when hotels’ occupancy rate is at its highest, the crisis committee is setting up alternative reception centres in the eventuality of a mass evacuation.

This morning, police recruits cleared an open area besides the police academy at Ta’ Kandja. Although the recruits were not given an explanation on why the area was being cleared, MaltaToday is informed that the works are related to the possible evacuation of foreigners from Libya in the coming days.

This afternoon, a number of Maltese citizens are set to arrive on a flight from Libya later on a flight coordinated by the Maltese government.

However, MaltaToday understands that passengers paid for the Medavia flight leaving from Mitiga airport, meaning it is not an official evacuation.

Up to yesterday evening, around 30 persons had booked their place on the chartered flight, however the number of Maltese citizens arriving at around 6:30pm is expected to be larger.

Although, the situation in Libya is worsening, Malta and other European countries have so far resisted calls for a major evacuation.

EU member states and other Western countries do not want to send a message that Libya is unsafe which in turn could create panic among foreigners living in Libya and  investors.

This evening, Parliament will discuss the Libya situation following a motion tabled last week by the Nationalist Party, calling for an urgent debate on the deteriorating situation in the North African country.

Over the past few days, a number of foreigners, including Maltese citizens, flew to Malta on a number of flights operated by Medavia and other airlines, following the closure of the Tripoli International airport.

The battle over the capital's airport has now entered its third week and is being waged by a powerful group from the western city of Zintan, which controls the facility, and Islamist-led groups, including fighters from Misrata, east of Tripoli.

Although the fighting has been largely limited to the capital's outskirts, Tripoli is witnessing one of its worst spells of violence since the toppling of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.