Updated | PN stands ready to support Malta’s efforts in helping Libya

Chargé d'affaires at Tripoli embassy Hussin Musrati hits out at Opposition leader Simon Busuttil

Hussin S. Musrati (Photo: Chris Mangion)
Hussin S. Musrati (Photo: Chris Mangion)

The Nationalist Party stands ready to support Malta’s efforts in helping Libya achieve peace and stability, a spokesperson for the PN told MaltaToday.

The spokesperson was reacting to comments by Hussin S. Musrati, the chargé d’affaires at the Libyan embassy in Balzan, who accused PN leader Simon Bususttil of being in favour of a military intervention in Libya.

Taking his comments to Twitter, Musrati questioned what Busuttil’s position on Libya was, adding that a “military intervention in Libya” would make the PN leader “happy”.

It is unclear what sparked Musrati’s comments, and MaltaToday has been unable to reach him for a comment.

“What would make the PN and the Maltese people happy is peace and stability in Libya,” the PN’s spokesperson said. “The PN stands with the Libyan people and fully supports the UN-brokered process of negotiations between the different factions in Libya.”

The spokesperson said it was hopeful that the talks could still lead to a unity government in the country.

“The PN stands ready to support Malta’s efforts. Malta has already shown it can help Libya and the Libyan people and it should do so again,” the Nationalist opposition said.

Last Tuesday in parliament, Busuttil described a European Council conclusion on Libya as “a disappointment” in what the EU was ready to do to help Libya in the unfolding crisis.

“The council conclusions are a huge disappointment: they aren’t satisfactory at all and there is no concrete action by the EU,” Busuttil said. The Council has agreed to stand ready to make “full use of all its instruments” to help a government of national unity.

Expressing surprise at Busuttil’s comments, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the European Council “couldn’t have sent a stronger message”, adding that military intervention was not the solution.

Musrati is the representative of the self-proclaimed Tripoli government, the Islamist-leaning Libya Dawn alliance that took over Tripoli last year.

The Maltese government had been accused by Musrati of “increasing division and worsening the conflict” for following the international community’s recognition of the Tobruk parliament as the legitimate representative of the people.

Talks between the warring factions in Libya resumed this week in a bid to form a government of national unity in Libya. Muscat has hinted at the possible creation of a “partial unity government” – a government of national unity that would leave out factions from both sides of Tobruk and Tripoli refusing to collaborate.

UN special envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon unveiled a plan to end the 10-month conflict – suggesting a three-person presidential council and incorporating the elected parliament and constitutional assembly – and refocus effort on combating jihadists.

Speaking to the Financial Times, Leon said his plan gives the Tripoli government “the possibility to have very important participation” in the proposed state council.

“My impression is that the majority of people from both sides view this as positive,” Leon told the Financial Times.