Updated | Muscat stands by civil servant in controversial meeting with Tripoli warlord

Joseph Muscat: Neville Muscat is doing a very good job

Updated at 2pm with PD reaction

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has stood by a civil servant who carried out unofficial meetings with a Libyan warlord, Haithem Tajouri, posing as the prime minister’s special envoy. 

Muscat told reporters that Neville Gafà “was doing a very good job” after the civil servant was sacked from the Foundation for Medical Services (FMS) on order of deputy prime minister and health minister Chris Fearne. 

Gafà’s contract, on a position of trust basis, as a senior manager at the foundation was rescinded on instructions issued by Fearne’s office, The Times of Malta reported. 

It turns out that Gafà has been transferred elsewhere, according to comments by Muscat today. 

“What has happened was that a transfer has taken place, formalising something that has been in the offing for some time now,” Muscat said, without wishing to disclose where Gafà will be working. 

Gafà was revealed to have travelled to Libya and, according to official communications from Tripoli, met with government ministers in his capacity of “special envoy of the Prime Minister”. 

Haithem Tajouri is a seasoned former army commander and current militia leader who leads the Tripoli’s Revolutionaries’ Brigade (TRB). The TRB is Tripoli’s most powerful group and is affiliated with a few other groups in the capital. 

Tajouri enjoys good relations with the Government of National Accord, but he has been the subject of very serious allegations concerning human rights abuses and extortion. A 2016 report by the UN Security Council highlighted how Tajouri and his associates had threatened central bank officials on multiple occasions to obtain letters of credit and other facilities, to the tune of $20 million. 

But Muscat refused to be drawn into commenting on Gafà’s visits in Libya. 

“I am not going to comment on meetings I am not privy to, and which were not mandated by the OPM – my comments stop here. It was not an official visit or meeting, something we made clear to the Libyans and to Gafà himself.” 

Muscat also was cautious about references to Taijouri as a war criminal. “Until a few weeks ago, Haftar was considered to be a war criminal and he has held a number of international meetings with us. At this point in time, without getting into who Gafà has met, in a country like Libya you must speak to as many people as possible.” 

Muscat was also clear that the civil servant had his support. “I think Neville Gafà is doing a good job.” 

Gafà has insisted that he travelled to the Libyan capital on a “personal visit” and played down reports that he had met the notorious Libyan militia leader during his trip, insisting he had simply “bumped into him on the street”. 

Gafà had not worked at the health ministry offices in Merchants Street since he was implicated in an alleged medical visas racket in 2016, and was moved out to the Foundation for Medical Services. A police investigation found no proof of wrongdoing in allegations that he was charging thousands of liri to issue medical visas to Libyans.

PM's defence a 'kick in the teeth' to peace efforts - PD

The Prime Minister's defence of Gafa did not go down well with Democratic Party leader Godfrey Farrugia, who described Muscat's actions as  "a kick in the teeth" for all members of Malta's diplomatic service and those working towards peace, freedom and democracy in Libya.

"Instead of following the example set by his deputy Chris Fearne and demand that Gafa answers questions and shoulders responsibility, Muscat absolves Gafa and protects him. When faced with a choice between accountability and protecting Keith Schembri's friends, Joseph Muscat chooses the latter, every single time," Farrugia said.

The PD leader said the party would continue insisting that the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister give a full account of Gafa's actions in Parliament.

"Our boss are the citizens. We answer to the citizens, not Keith Schembri," Farrugia said.