WATCH | Prime minister has formed his Cabinet, portfolios announcement in the coming hours

Updated at 3:26pm with further comments

Prime Minister Robert Abela has formed his Cabinet and an announcement outlining the various portfolios is expected in the coming hours.

Absent from the new Cabinet is former minister Anton Refalo, who was not seen entering Castille throughout Wednesday as the prime minister summoned elected MPs to Castille informing them of their roles. Meanwhile, sources close to Jo Etienne Abela said the former health minister was summoned to Castille but entered through the side door to avoid the media scrum at the front ddoor. Earlier, we had reported that Abela was not summoned to the OPM.

Starting on Wednesday morning and continuing in the afternoon, Abela summoned: Silvio Schembri, Chris Fearne, Clyde Caruana, Glenn Bedingfield, Alison Zerafa Civelli, Byron Camilleri, Malcolm Paul Agius Galea, Jonathan Attard, Clint Camilleri, Carmelo Abela, Alicia Bugeja Said, Michael Falzon, Julia Farrugia, Omar Farrugia, Miriam Dalli, Clifton Grima, Owen Bonnici, Chris Bonett, Keith Azzopardi Tanti, Rosianne Cutajar and Jo Etienna Abela.

The only elected candidates missing from the line-up, apart from former minister Anton Refalo, are Nigel Vella, Deo Debattista, John Grech and Anthony Agius Decelis. The Labour backbench will include seven more MPs, who will be elected to fill in the seats vacated by those who got elected on two districts. Six more female MPs will then join the backbench through the gender corrective mechanism.

None of those summoned to Castille commented about their discussions with the prime minister.

Owen Bonnici told waiting reporters outside Castille it was a "humbling experience" for him to be called back to serve in government. Despite his relatively young age, Bonnici is one of the veterans. However, he insisted he never took anything for granted. "A statement will be issued later on. I am always happy to serve my country; it is a privilege and there is no greater honour," he insisted.

Miriam Dalli, who in the previous legislature had a super ministry that included the environment, energy and the regeneration of the Grand Harbour, said the prime minister will outline the portfolio himself. "It was a good meeting and I am convinced the prime minister will have a strong Cabinet," she said.

On the other hand, Clifton Grima, who was education and sports minister in the previous legislature, said he was "always happy" with whatever portfolio he is handed. Asked whether this was a sign of the prime minister's trust, Grima replied with a curt "yes", giving no further details.

Upon exiting Castille, Julia Farrugia, who was minister for inclusion and NGOs in the previous government, would only say: "I thank the prime minister."

Meanwhile, before her, veteran parliamentarian Michael Falzon urged reporters to wait "for the prime minister's announcement", adding that as long as the party won he was happy.

Alison Zerafa Civelli, who in the outgoing government was parliamentary secretary for local government, said: "I’m going to wait for the confirmation. I am happy with the position, but at the end of the day it’s what's good for the country."

Schembri, who was economy minister in the previous legislature, would only say that he is "happy". A similar reply was given by Clint Camilleri, who was Gozo and planning minister in the previous legislature. Camilleri obtained the highest number of votes after the prime minister in Saturday's election.

Malcolm Paul Agius Galea said "there's a challenge ahead of him", without elaborating. In the previous legislature, Agius Galea was parliamentary secretary for active aging, under the purview of Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela.

Upon exiting Castille, Byron Camilleri told reporters "I expressed my wish to the prime minister and I am satisfied with what was given". Sources close to government told MaltaToday, Camilleri did not wish to retain his previous portfolio of home affairs and national security.

This is a developing story.

More to follow.