Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/401761
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2014 3 News Mousu' Travel Services Limited Day Trip 1: Madonna ta' Lourdes 11 February, 2015 Day Trip 2: Padre Pio 21 March, 2015 31, Spencer Hill, Marsa, Malta 2123 0301 / 2144 0146 / 9971 0266 'No security in Mediterranean means no security in the EU' – Muscat CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Announc- ing Leon's visit, Muscat said the three sides would be discussing further prospects for Libya. "Our repeated call for security in Libya stems from the fact that no security in the Mediterranean re- sults in no security in the European Union or worldwide. It is therefore crucial that security is reinstated," the Maltese PM said. Muscat reiterated that political dialogue was the only way forward for Libya. Al Thinni's internationally recog- nised government was booted out of Tripoli in August, when a coalition of armed groups from the western city of Misrata stormed the city. His government was forced to withdraw to the east, basing itself in Tobruk. "[Al Thinni's government] must be open to dialogue with all forces," Muscat said. A number of bilateral issues – in- cluding energy, education and infor- mation – were discussed between the two prime ministers. In-depth discussions will take place during a series of meetings to be held be- tween the respective ministers in the coming days. This is Al Thinni's second official state visit outside his country, hav- ing already held meetings in Egypt. Al Thinni confirmed that security issues in relation to air traffic be- tween Malta and Libya were also discussed. Fielding questions by the press, the two confirmed that an agree- ment to buy oil from Libya at pref- erential rates – signed under former Libyan premier Ali Zeidan – will be honoured. "We have discussed the agree- ment and its implementation and confirmed there is no issue with its validity. The evaluation that is taking place right now is when the agreement can be put into place. Libya wants to first be up to scratch with its production," Muscat said. Asked whether his government will be ready to include the Muslim Brotherhood in a united govern- ment, Al Thinni said his govern- ment was elected democratically by "all Libyans". Al Thinni, asked whether he was requesting foreign military inter- vention, said he "was asking for logistical support to overcome dif- ficulties" and to help bring together the different factions. He also said, according to his translator, that the government required logistical support "to overcome difficulties by parties who are disrupting sta- bility". Al Thinni also confirmed that the government was ready to unite with any party to fight terrorist organi- sations. Muscat, who at one point also spoke in Arabic to help the transla- tor, said the Maltese side had been "unequivocal" that for Malta to support Libya's cause, the latter had to enjoy the democratic support of the Libyan people and it should dia- logue with every force that recog- nised the legitimacy of the Libyan parliament. Fleeing from hostile militias, the Libyan parliament elected in June set up base in a grey concrete 1970s hotel near the Egyptian border. The legal government was even forced to hire a Greek car ferry which moored in Tobruk harbour to house officials, activists and their families. They had f led death- threats in their hometowns. Among international fora, includ- ing the United Nations, Malta in- sisted that peace in Libya will not be attained unless unconditional disarmament and genuine national reconciliation among the different factions take place. Yesterday evening, Muscat had dinner with Al Thinni and Leon at Villa Francia to discuss the situa- tion in Libya. Moreover, according to reports in the Italian media the Head of EU Delegation to Libya Na- taliya Apostolova will be visiting Malta today to hold talks with Al Thinni. Travellers to fill in passenger cards as from next week Chris Fearne updates Parliament on Malta's Ebola preparedness measures HEALTH parliamentary secretary Chris Fearne announced yesterday that air and sea passengers entering Malta will be asked to fill in a passen- ger card. The measure will be introduced as from next week, when passengers will be asked to state whether they had been in Liberia, Guinea or Sierra Leone – the three countries worst af- fected by the Ebola virus – in the past 21 days. "People giving incorrect information could face criminal action," Fearne said, adding that passengers coming from one of these countries would be tested and kept under observation or in quarantine. A national drill will be taken in No- vember. Briefing parliament on a European Council meeting which discussed Ebola, Fearne said the European Commission was clear in that it was up to the EU states to decide how to deal with Ebola. However, the Com- mission would take on the role of "co- ordinator". Thursday's high level meeting fo- cused on screening at Europe's borders and it was agreed that there should be reinforcement of exit screening meas- ures of passengers departing from countries worst hit by the disease. Over 4,000 people have died since the outbreak of the disease while over 9,000 cases of suspected or confirmed Ebola cases were registered. The worst hit countries were Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. The United States and the United Kingdom were the first countries to implement screening measures on passengers entering their country after having travelled from West Af- rica. "On Malta's suggestion, the Com- mission will investigate the possibil- ity of joint procurement, between EU states, of protective clothing and medicines," Fearne told parliament. The European Union has so far committed €180 million in aid to the Ebola-hit countries. Malta has undertaken a number of preventive measures, including the setting up of an Ebola virus disease monitoring committee (EVDMC), monitoring of the international situ- ation, informing the public, standard operating procedures, preparation procedures at points of entry – ports and airport – training sessions for nurses and disciplined forces among others. Recently, the Malta Union of Mid- wives and Nurses (MUMN) expressed concern about the "overconfidence" expressed by the Health Division over the hospitals' preparedness to tackle suspected cases of Ebola. Fearne however said that, in the remote possibility of an Ebola case locally, contingency plans in every health sector would be implemented. "These plans ensure that cases are treated effectively and with the least risk that the infection is transmitted from one person to another," he said. Fearne said that patients would be transferred to the Infectious Disease Unit (IDU) at Mater Dei, where two wards were specifically set up for the purpose. The wards have a specialised ventilation system and are equipped with CCTV. Intensive training programmes have been carried out, where training in- cluded both one-to-one training and a competency assessment. Regular meetings are taking place between the hospital's management, the workers and their unions. The parliamentary secretary also said that an interim Ebola contingen- cy plan was launched in Gozo, listing a plan of action in case of a suspected case. Replying to the MUMN's concerns that the Gozo General Hospital was not planned to deal with such a situ- ation, Fearne confirmed that two iso- lation rooms had been identified and upgrading works and the procure- ment of equipment were being taken care of. PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD Chris Fearne Joseph Muscat and Al Thinni