Libya’s Justice Minister has held talks with Malta’s newly appointed ambassador on steps to activate a long-standing prisoner exchange agreement between the two countries, signalling renewed efforts to deepen judicial cooperation and address the cases of Libyan inmates held abroad.
Justice Minister Halima Ibrahim met Maltese Ambassador Franklin Aquilina at the Ministry of Justice headquarters in Tripoli. The meeting reviewed bilateral relations and explored practical mechanisms to implement the prisoner transfer agreement, which was previously signed but has yet to enter full force, according to an official statement.
During the talks, both sides also discussed expanding cooperation in training and capacity building for justice ministry staff and affiliated institutions. Libyan officials said strengthening technical expertise and institutional coordination remains a priority as the country seeks to modernise its judicial sector amid ongoing political and administrative challenges.
Libya and Malta have maintained dialogue on prisoner transfers for several years. The agreement aims to allow convicted Libyan nationals to serve the remainder of their sentences in Libya, subject to legal procedures and mutual consent. Authorities say the mechanism would help address humanitarian concerns while respecting judicial rulings in both countries.
The issue featured prominently in previous high-level discussions between Libyan and Maltese leaders, reflecting shared interest in closer judicial and security cooperation across the central Mediterranean. Officials view the agreement as part of broader efforts to enhance trust, streamline legal processes, and improve coordination on cross-border issues.
Libya’s Ministry of Justice has said it remains open to concluding similar agreements with other countries hosting Libyan prisoners. In earlier statements, the ministry indicated that several states had expressed willingness to pursue understandings or memoranda of cooperation, enabling inmates to complete sentences closer to their families under Libyan supervision.
Authorities say activating the Malta agreement would represent a practical step toward wider judicial partnerships, reinforcing Libya’s commitment to international legal cooperation and the protection of prisoners’ rights.