There is 'obvious need for UN intervention' in Libya, PM tells Guterres

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat meets the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat meets the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres. Photo by Ray Attard
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat meets the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres. Photo by Ray Attard
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat meets the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres. Photo by Ray Attard
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat meets the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres. Photo by Ray Attard
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat meets the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres. Photo by Ray Attard
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat meets the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres. Photo by Ray Attard
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat meets the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres. Photo by Ray Attard
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat meets the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres. Photo by Ray Attard
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat meets High Commissioner Antonio Guterres • Video by Ray Attard

There is an "obvious need" for intervention by the United Nations in Libya, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told the UN High Commissioner for High Refugees Antonio Guterres.

A meeting between a Maltese delegation led by Muscat and Guterres is currently underway at Auberge de Castille.

Muscat insisted that the situation in North Africa, especially Libya and the Sub Sahara, must be tackled with "the greatest urgency". While the UN Security Council is discussing the different situations in Libya, Muscat said the situation in the North African country should not be addressed in isolation from what's happening in Syria and Iraq.

"There is an obvious need for an intervention by the United Nations in Libya, an intervention that must be determined together with the people of Libya. There needs to be an inclusive solution to the anarchy that reigns right now," the PM said.

Muscat reiterated that with zero security in Libya, criminal gangs were free to continue with their criminal activities and trafficking human beings. "Without the rule of of law, criminal gangs will be free to manage a system of illegal migration, making money from desperate people."

He pointed out that there required interlocutors in Libya.

While the medium-term goal for Libya is to be a safe country, the second part of the process would be the setting up of a process to help those who want to move to Europe, by first registering. This would be possible after the country would have ratified all international conventions on human rights.

"It is something that the Labour Party, even as a party in opposition, has been calling on for years."

While Guterres voiced admiration for what Malta was doing in rescuing migrants, Muscat said Malta's removal of detention of unaccompanied minors was not a small step. Indeed, he went on to urge the UNHCR for further support that goes beyond financial assistance and more into the know how.

The government is currently looking to locate an adequate place to host unaccompanied minors.