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The Maltese foreign ministry had announced that it processed 2,596 visas to Libyans in the past two months — 1,985, from . . .[restrict]Tripoli, the rest from Benghazi. Only 157 applications were refused.
The disclosure was prompted by claims by Labour opposition leader Joseph Muscat at a Libya business conference on the island that a government led by him would do more to help Libyans wanting to travel to Malta. He said he wanted to show that Libyans were welcome in Malta.
The foreign ministry said it had already taken action to simplify the issuing of visas to Libyans.
“A bold initiative was the further issuance of National “D” Long-Stay visas to Libyan nationals wishing to visit Malta for visits exceeding three months,” the ministry said — a reference to Libyans with business interests in Malta or following up medical or educational requirements or family connections.
The ministry said that “in appropriate cases” multiple-entry visas could be issued for up to five years.
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