Maltese controversy over Saliba’s return to the Libya file
LIBYA – A report by the Maltese English-language news site The Shift has criticised Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela for creating a new Libya-linked post for former official Charles Saliba, carrying a salary of €106,000 a year, a move the report linked to a lobbying campaign to return him to an official role.
Renewable one-year contract after lobbying for the post
The report, whose contents were followed and summarised by Al-Marsad, said Saliba had been given a post it described as a “person-of-trust” appointment, on a renewable one-year contract, after he sought, according to The Shift’s account, to return to Libya-related duties through contacts with and pressure on Prime Minister Abela.
Mission ended in July 2025 amid handover dispute
According to the report, Saliba resented the end of his mission in July 2025, and it alleged that he did not cooperate in the handover to his successor, Franklin Aquilina, who took up the post in September of that year.
The report added that Saliba continued to lobby for the decision to replace him to be reversed and for him to be reappointed ambassador, and held meetings with Abela for that purpose.
Alternative role created after original post filled
It said the Prime Minister’s Office created another job for Saliba after the ambassador’s post had already been filled by Aquilina.
The report also referred to charges brought against Aquilina in Malta last August, including rape and other alleged sexual offences against a female subordinate in Libya. The charges have not been proven in court.
