The two Libyan embassies in Malta in talks over a possible merger

Kevin Schembri Orland The two Libyan embassies in Malta are in talks to merge into a single embassy, Tripoli Chargé D’affaires Hussein Musrati told The Malta Independent on Sunday.

“We are in talks, and we might have an answer next week,” he said. “I am speaking with Al-Amin (Tobruk Chargé D‘affaires Al Habib Al-Amin) and when talks end we will hold a press conference”.

Mr Musrati said that, should the two merge, the post will remain that of a Chargé D’affaires for now, rather than an ambassadorial one, adding that such a change would require a decision by the Libyan Congress. “We don’t know who the Chargé D’affaires will be, Mr Al-Amin or me. We are awaiting a decision from Libya.”

Libya’s UN-backed govern- ment will soon present a new Cabinet for approval by the internationally-recognized Parliament based in the east of Libya, after lawmakers gave it a vote of no confidence.

In a Wednesday statement, the presidency council based in the capital, Tripoli and led by Fayez Serraj said it will present its list to the Tobruk-based House of Representatives, which had been seeking more representation when it voted against the government on Monday.

Libya has been mired in conflict since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi, with rival parliaments and governments emerging in the east and west, each backed by an array of militias and tribes.

In December, the UN struck a deal with the rival factions to create the unity government based in Tripoli.