If it’s Libya, then it must be Keith Schembri
Libya’s prime minister and practically his entire cabinet landed in Malta today on what the prime minister’s chief of staff has called “an official visit”.
Yes, the prime minister’s chief of staff – Keith Schembri, who has a network of business interests and investments in Libya to rival John ‘Snus Bahamas’ Dalli’s.
It was he, and not Foreign Minister George Vella (who is away), or Louis Grech the deputy prime minister (who has made himself completely invisible) or for that matter Schembri’s boss the prime minister (who met the Libyan government and then avoided the press by going to parliament), who gave the press conference informing the public and the press about this significant event.
The prime minister gives a press conference about two cents off the price of petrol and when the entire Libyan government lands in Malta out of the blue, he hides behind Keith Schembri.
Or maybe Schembri wanted to take control: if it’s Libya, then it’s his territory and not the Foreign Minister’s.
Official visit, my eye – the entire cabinet? It looks like Malta is going to be playing host to the Libyan government in exile, as they save their skins while their country goes up in flames.
A few of them already have EU passports and freedom of movement in Malta, the result of living in exile for many years during Gaddafi’s regime. The rest can buy one at a discount from Manuel Mallia and Alessandra ‘CHOGM’ Pace’s Uncle Joe Vella Bonnici, the man in charge of citizenship operations.
Meanwhile, Ryan the Fugitive Meat-Seller’s cousin told journalists – but only when pressed – that the European Commission was not informed that the Libyan government would be visiting Malta en masse. “We did things in an unofficial way because we are going to be discussing bilateral matters,” Schembri said.
Oh indeed. Libya is burning, Islamic State is edging closer, homes, businesses, offices and airports are being destroyed, oil wells have been seized by rebels, and the Libyan prime minister and his cabinet are here to discuss immigration issues with Manuel Mallia.
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“When asked if the European Union was informed about this visit, Mr Schembri confirmed that the government did it in an unofficial way because the meetings to be held are of a bilateral nature. He also added that so far no requests had been received from EU Prime Ministers or other EU officials to meet the Libyan delegation during their stay. On the other hand the United States were not informed with this visit.”
Mhux hekk tghid. They are going to discuss “issues ranging from education, economy and services.” Meanwhile in Libya…
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-10-20/local-news/Libyan-Prime-Minister-leads-Cabinet-delegation-on-visit-to-Malta-6736124111
I find it very strange that the Libyan PM leads a Cabinet delegation in Malta when there is a fully fledged civil war in their country.
Do not believe a word this government says. This is a government of liars.
Only last week the BBC News reported that “Libyan government holed up in a 1970s hotel” in Tobruk, 1,000 kms away from Tripoli – in other words, closer to Egypt than to the capital.
The MPs had to be “smuggled” out of Tripoli to escape the militias.
Now read this: “In Tripoli, the old parliament – the General National Congress – has continued to sit. It’s even appointed its own rival government.”
Yes, there is more than one government in Libya.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29603393
Mind you, if we have come to this – the official government of Libya escaping to Malta – this can only mean that Libya has disintegrated, and we should be told which militia’s government is exactly in control in Tripoli and the rest of Libya.
Now I’m certainly not one for conspiracy theories, but does that put Malta at risk?
Is this the beginning of the end of Kasco?
Hopefully. His cousin, who also had lots of Libyan dealings, has run away with 40 million of that stuff that greases palms.
“…on what the prime minister’s chief of staff has called “an OFFICIAL visit”.
“We did things in an UNOFFICIAL way because…”
Which one is the correct version??
Bilateral issues are official matters so things should be done correctly. What Keith Schembri means is that his and Muscat’s personal interests trump Malta’s international obligations.
Excuse me but what happened to the Facebook share button?
[Daphne – It’s still there.]
Whatever happened to the Maltese ambassador to Libya? What’s ‘is name? Mannie something…
“The rest can buy one at a discount from Manuel Mallia and Alessandra ‘CHOGM’ Pace’s Uncle Joe Vella Bonnici, the man in charge of citizenship operations.”
I heard it from the horse’s best friend mouth that the IIP is not doing very well. In fact not at all.
What exactly can a government without power discuss with the Maltese government? They are not in a position to agree on anything or to make any promises. Another transparent agenda no doubt.
Which of the Libyan governments are they meeting?
So do we still get cheap fuel?
No.
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-10-21/local-news/Libyan-PM-says-final-decision-on-the-sale-of-cheap-oil-and-gas-to-Malta-is-still-under-evaluation-6736124153
Ryan the Fugitive Meat-Seller’s cousin , I like that. I heard another good one just the other day, Kugin Ryan il-Friza.
Rather apt too.
Daphne, all business people are met by Keith Schembri. Why do you think he is in Castille in the first place? The greedy bastard wants to eat the whole cake on his own.