In a statement on the situation in Libya, the Chairperson and Deputy Charperson of Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party, Prof Arnold Cassola and Carmel Cacopardo, said:

“In view of the horrific situation in Libya, where not only do we have two rival governments one based in Tobruk (the internationally recognised government) and another one in Tripoli, but also now fighting forces linked to ISIS. In view of the fall of the cities of Derna and Sirte to ISIS linked forces, Alternattiva Demokratika believes that with this enormous danger on our doorstep we cannot keep on watching passively at this unfolding drama which is leading to total anarchy in Libya, with the consequent disproportionate increase in migratory flows of Libyans fleeing from the destruction in their country.”

“While we are conscious of the dangers of retaliation against our country, it being – together with Italy – the nearest to the conflict area, once the efforts of the UN Special representative in Libya Bernardino Leon have not led to any tangible results, we support the request of the Maltese and Italian governments for a UN mandated international intervention to re-establish law and order in Libya and to minimize danger in the country. In view of the present unfortunate circumstances, it would be advisable that Malta’s air and sea defences are strengthened.”

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Fi stqarrija dwar il-qaghda fil-Libja, ic-Chairperson u d-Deputat Charperson ta’ Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party, il-Prof Arnold Cassola u Carmel Cacopardo, qalu:

“Fl-isfond tas-sitwazzjoni mwieghra fil-Libya, fejn mhux biss ghandek il-Gvern ibbazat f’Tobruk li ghandu l-gharfien tal-komunita’ internazzjonali u l-Gvern alternattiv ibbazat fi Tripli, izda ukoll issa l-forzi marbutin mal-ISIS li ga hadu taht idejhom l-ilbliet ta’ Derna u Sirte, Alternattiva Demokratika temmen li, b’dan il-periklu enormi fuq l-ghatba ta’ pajjizna, ma nistghux nibqghu nharsu passivi lejn dan id-dramm li qed iwassal ghal anarkija totali fil-Libja, bil-konsegwenza ta’ zieda sproporzjonata fil-flussi migratorji ta’ Libjani li qed jaharbu mill-qerda go pajjizjhom.”

“Waqt li ahna konxji mill-periklu ta’ ritaljazzjoni billi pajjizna huwa l-aktar pajjiz Ewropew qrib taz-zona tal-glied, flimkien mal-Italja, galadarba l-isforzi tal-mibghut tal-Gnus Maghquda Bernardino Leon ma wasslux ghal rizultati tangibbli, naqblu mat-talba tal-Gvern Malti u tal-Gvern Taljan lill-Gnus Maghquda biex ikun hemm qbil dwar intervent internazzjonali biex jistabilixxi l-ordni fil-Libja u jnaqqas il-perikli f’dan il-pajjiz. Kull intervent ghandu jsir b’mandat u taht l-awspici tal-Gnus Maghquda.”

“Fic-cirkustanzi sfortunati prezenti jinhtieg li jkunu msahha kemm id-difiza tal-ajru kif ukoll dik fl-ibhra Maltin.”